American Academy of Pediatrics with Erikson to Help Pediatricians Build Compassionate and Collaborative Relationships

According to the National Physician Burnout and Depression Report 2022, pediatricians experience a burnout rate of 49% (Nigri et al, 2023). While all doctors experience their own set of challenges, the area of pediatrics is seeing a higher number of residency placements that are unmatched or unfilled, per this report.

Hoping to increase the support to pediatricians in their vital roles with children and families, Erikson recently announced an important partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Together, Erikson and AAP will prepare pediatric residents and practicing physicians with Erikson’s Facilitating Attuned Interactions (FAN) approach to relationship-building and reflective practice. This partnership program will focus on five areas:

• Erikson and AAP will together identify residency programs that are ready to implement the FAN
• Create mentorship opportunities for residency faculty to learn and teach the FAN to residents
• Help residency programs include the FAN as a permanent part of their curriculum
• Create a network of residency programs that are using the FAN to help and support each other
• Provide Continuing Medical Education on the FAN to practicing pediatricians

Professor Linda Gilkerson, PhD, and Erikson graduate (MSW ‘21) and Project Manager, Sarah Eastburg, LCSW, will partner in leading this part of the initiative with residents and pediatricians.

For Gilkerson, the partnership with AAP feels like Erikson’s mission to serve children in educational and other spaces is coming full circle. “Every child has a teacher, and every child goes to the doctor. With this new initiative, Erikson will make a difference in both places where all children are.”

After partnering with pediatricians for decades, she is excited to see this collaboration come together in a very meaningful way. “Our partnership with AAP is quite remarkable. There is a movement called ‘Early Relational Health’ which is about how being healthy in this world requires healthy relationships. Pediatricians are embracing supporting relationships, yet so many physicians do not have any preparation or support for this very real part of their work,” says Gilkerson. “We’ve seen how the FAN strengthens relationships with parents in many settings. It’s a practical communication tool which is readily learned and builds a provider’s self-reflection.” Because the nature of the work that pediatricians do is incredibly challenging, implementing the FAN with this group is going to be particularly valuable.

As a clinical social worker who previously worked in a hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)—a place that can be emotionally charged—Eastburg wonders if the burnout pediatricians may feel is related to their own lack of support in the workplace. “The journey to become a physician is long and demanding. Physicians may not have a space to share all that they are holding in their professional lives, and they deserve the same support they offer to families,” she states. She believes embracing the FAN can make a significant difference in patient encounters. “The FAN model provides a framework for physicians to be present and attuned with families in any medical setting.”

Research has shown that residents trained on the FAN are more empathetic and collaborative leading to more efficient and effective visits with families. These changes leave the residents more satisfied with their roles, which is a buffer for burnout.

Early feedback on the FAN has been overwhelmingly positive, with one resident stating, “I used to go in and think ‘diagnosis,’ now I go in and think ‘connection’.” For Gilkerson, having physicians reach this mindset is her top priority. “That’s what it’s all about, that’s relational health. People can tell you their true concern, then you can partner to really help them. We know that it is about mutual trust and respect. We want families to leave meetings with residents asking, ‘Will you be my doctor?’ That kind of caring, meaningful relationship is what both parents and pediatricians seek.”