Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2025

DOI

10.4300/JGME-D-25-00372.1

Publication Title

Journal of Graduate Medical Education

Volume

17

Issue

3

Pages

408-411

Abstract

[Introduction] Program and institutional coordinators in graduate medical education (GME) have very complex jobs that are often highly pressured and demanding, requiring a diverse skill set to manage effectively. While these positions can be immensely gratifying, the demands and pressures inherent in the roles pose threats to job satisfaction as well as risks to mental health and well-being. A national survey of 6372 coordinators found that 20.4% reported being dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with work, and 27.9% reported being likely or very likely to leave their job in the next year. ¹ Of the coordinators surveyed 36.3% screened positive for burnout, 23.9% reported moderate to severe symptoms of depression, and 30.5% reported moderate to severe anxiety symptoms. The survey also explored potential stressors as well as satisfiers in the work environment that can contribute to distress, and conversely, satisfaction with work, with the hope that these could be potential targets for intervention. This article and a companion webpage under construction at Learn at ACGME ² are intended to begin that process, highlighting potential approaches already in place across the country designed to reduce stressors/dissatisfiers and enhance coordinator work lives. The approaches described below are organized into 7 categories:

1. Interactions and relationships with residents, fellows, faculty, and leadership

2. Workload, work efficiency, work flexibility, and work pressure

3. Community and professional development

4. Self-advocacy

5. Meaning in work

6. Maladaptive perfectionism and other problematic mindsets

7. Data gathering to inform interventions

One important caveat to state before describing potential interventions—significant differences exist between institutions and programs relating to size and resources, so not all the strategies outlined below may be feasible in all institutions or programs.

Rights

© 2025 Journal of Graduate Medical Education. All rights reserved.

Included with the kind written permission of the copyright holders and the author.

Comments

A part of the Journal of Graduate Medical Education: https://meridian.allenpress.com/jgme

Original Publication Citation

Slavin, S., Beckerdite, J., McGuire, A. L., Morrison, L. O., Pigott, M., Racsumberger, C. L., Rangel, E., Stevens, B., Tirado, R., Thompson, C. D., & Wright, L. (2025). Strategies to enhance GME program coordinator job satisfaction and well-being. Journal of Graduate Medical Education, 17(3), 408-411. https://doi.org/10.4300/JGME-D-25-00372.1

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