GME Trainees
PAS Orientation for GME Residents and Fellows
How Can I Reach Out for Support Anonymously?
Duke further supports GME residents and fellows through an anonymous and secure website called the Interactive Screening Program (ISP). You simply sign on, answer an anonymous survey, and choose whether you want to be connected with a PAS counselor or not. This service is available 24 hours/day, 7 days a week.
More Information
For more information on physician well-being, visit these websites:
The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) works to ensure that residents and fellows train in educational environments that support patient safety, resident and fellow education, and physician well-being.
www.acgme.org
Telephone: 312-755-5000
The American Medical Association (AMA) physician wellness program
www.ama-assn.org
Telephone: 800-262-3211
Expanded Appointment Times Now Available
Duke's Personal Assistance Service offers appointment times between the regular business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Starting in March, 2022, we are expanding our services with the addition of premium appointment times. These include early morning (7 a.m.) as well as early evening (5, 6, and 7 p.m.) appointments.
To schedule your appointment, call our front desk at 919-416-1727, identify yourself as a GME resident or fellow, and select the appointment time that fits into your schedule. We offer both virtual (via phone or Webex) and some in-person openings.
Support for the GME Community
Congratulations! Your graduate medical education marks an exciting time for you both personally and professionally. Managing day to day life and the demands of residency/ fellowship can affect your sense of equilibrium. You may feel overwhelmed by:
- Work overload and/or burnout
- Sleep deprivation
- Feelings of isolation or inadequate support
- Lack of time for self-care and recreation
- Demands of patient care and personal relationships
- Career planning, supervising, and/or building a professional network
Duke's Personal Assistance Service (PAS) can help you find your footing. Our staff of licensed, experienced mental health professionals provides mental health services from assessments to short-term counseling to referrals. Services are available at no cost to benefits-eligible employees.
PAS services are confidential, are not part of any health record system, and clients are never given a formal diagnosis. Your participation is completely voluntary and would not need to be disclosed on a job or licensing application. You can self-refer or refer a colleague in need of support.
Where is PAS Located?
Our offices are located off-site in the Erwin Square Tower at 2200 W. Main Street, Suite 400A, in Durham. Erwin Square Tower also houses the Duke Credit Union and the Duke School of Medicine. Free parking is available in front of and behind the building.
What Should I Do If I Have a Mental or Behavioral Health Emergency?
For urgent mental or behavioral health needs outside of normal business hours (e.g., nights, holidays, or weekends), we recommend the following protocol:
- Contact the DUMC paging operator at 919-684-8113.
- Identify yourself as a GME trainee in need of urgent assistance. You can self-refer or refer a colleague in need of support.
- The paging operator will contact the psychiatry attending on call. The attending will reach out to speak with you, assess your situation, and determine a safe and appropriate course of action.
- If you are in an immediate crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text TALK to 741741, the National Crisis Text Line.
Personal Assistance Service Orientation for GME Residents and Fellows
Perspective: On the First Year of Residency
By Jeff Dewey, MD
July 1, 2019
ACGME: What were the first few weeks of residency like for you? What do you remember the most?
Dr. Dewey: I distinctly remember the morning my wife (then girlfriend) dropped me off for my first morning as in intern. I was starting in the ICU, and my stomach was in my throat! Those first few weeks were a whirlwind, but in retrospect I am amazed at how much I learned. I can still recall the feeling of the small successes: getting my first arterial line, managing acute hypotension, independently admitting a complex patient. As stressful as it seemed to face these challenges, the joy of growing to meet them was the fuel that kept me energized.