By June Compton
Long hours and clinical demands reflect the real challenges, adaptations, and persistence of residency. To better understand residents’ experiences, InCrowd surveyed 309 medical residents across three different surveys focused on mentorship, work–life balance, well-being & burnout. Below are the key findings and what they reveal about resilience and professional growth in residency.
Burnout:
Burnout continues to be a significant concern in healthcare, especially among residents. The top causes of burnout include:
Long or excessive hours
Administrative burden like charting and documentation
High patient volume and clinical demands.
Many respondents also reported a lack of free time, sleep, and feeling underappreciated. One respondent shared, “I feel disconnected with patients when I have too many to be seen as it depresses my effect.”
These stressors have led to serious health effects: over half reported experiencing anxiety and sleep disturbances, while 27% reported depression and 22% reported physical health issues. On a positive note, 78% are managing burnout through regular exercise, 59% through peer support, 55% through time management techniques, 36% through mindfulness practices, and 26% are seeking professional help. These insights highlight the urgent need to address systemic issues and prioritize well-being in medical training environments.
Mentorship:
Mentorship stood out as one of the most meaningful supports residents receive. Career guidance topped the list, followed by help with clinical cases and mentors who were accessible and approachable.
Residents shared how mentors helped them plan their careers, whether that meant understanding fellowships, getting involved in research, or navigating the financial and political nuances of medical practice. One resident reflected that their mentor gave them, “Practical guidance on navigating the complexities of medical practice and patient care… My mentor offered crucial career development advice, opening doors to new opportunities and helping me define my professional path.”
Of the 38% of respondents who had a formal mentor during their first year as attending physicians, 42% reported the mentorship to be very helpful and another 53% found it somewhat helpful. Meetings varied: 56% met quarterly, 36% monthly, and 8% weekly. Even infrequent check-ins still made a difference.
When mentoring is tailored to resident goals, clinically relevant, and easily accessible, even occasional sessions can significantly enhance their professional growth and personal well-being.
Work-life balance:
InCrowd asked residents what strategies they use to maintain a healthy work–life balance. The most common responses were setting boundaries, like turning off notifications or not doing outside work, exercise or other physical activity, detailed scheduling or time blocking, and making time for family or social life. Despite these efforts, workloads remain intense: 39% of residents work over 60 hours per week, 24% work between 51–60 hours, 31% work 40-50 hours, and only 7% work fewer than 40 hours. Nearly half report work interferes with their personal life sometimes, while 32% say it often does, and 7% say it always does. Residents face significant challenges to achieving work–life balance with the top impediments including administrative tasks (on-call duties) and high patient volumes or personal expectations.
When asked how their work–life balance could be improved, 78% of residents suggested reducing paperwork, 71% called for increased staffing, 68% wanted more flexible scheduling, and 32% recommended wellness programs.
The results highlight that while many try individual tactics like exercise or time-blocking, true balance depends on institutional changes.
Residency demands long hours and intense clinical work. InCrowd’s research shows that residents benefit most from practical mentorship, effective burnout coping strategies, and efforts to maintain work–life balance. But lasting change requires more than individual effort. Institutions must foster resident resilience and well‑being by providing structured mentorship, reducing administrative burdens, staffing adequately, and offering flexible schedules.
Interested in participating in research? Register here.
