A pilot feasibility study of a peer-led mindfulness program for medical students
Background: Mindfulness meditation has gained momentum in medical circles for bolstering wellbeing and other facets of professionalism. This study evaluated the feasibility and benefits of a peer-led mindfulness meditation program (MMP) on medical student wellness and professionalism. Method: Pre-c...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Canadian Medical Education Journal
2016-04-01
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| Series: | Canadian Medical Education Journal |
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| Online Access: | https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/cmej/article/view/36643 |
| _version_ | 1818407945833021440 |
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| author | Marlon Danilewitz Jacques Bradwejn Diana Koszycki |
| author_facet | Marlon Danilewitz Jacques Bradwejn Diana Koszycki |
| author_sort | Marlon Danilewitz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Mindfulness meditation has gained momentum in medical circles for bolstering wellbeing and other facets of professionalism. This study evaluated the feasibility and benefits of a peer-led mindfulness meditation program (MMP) on medical student wellness and professionalism.
Method: Pre-clerkship students were recruited and randomized to the 8-week MMP or wait-list. Feasibility outcomes included ease of recruitment, program attendance and homework compliance. Other outcomes included self-reported psychological distress, empathy, self-compassion, mindfulness, altruism and program satisfaction.
Results: The MMP decreased levels of stress and enhanced mindfulness, self-compassion and altruism from baseline to post-study. Changes were not significant for the wait-list condition. Although satisfaction with the MMP was high compliance was suboptimal.
Conclusions: A peer-led MMP is feasible and may be a promising approach to enhance medical student wellbeing. Further research is needed to explore strategies to improve program compliance in this student population. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T09:35:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7d076638745648a680a48f3b6a6a44fa |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1923-1202 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T09:35:54Z |
| publishDate | 2016-04-01 |
| publisher | Canadian Medical Education Journal |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Canadian Medical Education Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-7d076638745648a680a48f3b6a6a44fa2022-12-21T23:07:56ZengCanadian Medical Education JournalCanadian Medical Education Journal1923-12022016-04-017123771A pilot feasibility study of a peer-led mindfulness program for medical studentsMarlon Danilewitz0Jacques Bradwejn1Diana Koszycki2University of British ColumbiaUniversity of OttawaUniversity of Ottawa and Institute de recherche de l'hopital MontfortBackground: Mindfulness meditation has gained momentum in medical circles for bolstering wellbeing and other facets of professionalism. This study evaluated the feasibility and benefits of a peer-led mindfulness meditation program (MMP) on medical student wellness and professionalism. Method: Pre-clerkship students were recruited and randomized to the 8-week MMP or wait-list. Feasibility outcomes included ease of recruitment, program attendance and homework compliance. Other outcomes included self-reported psychological distress, empathy, self-compassion, mindfulness, altruism and program satisfaction. Results: The MMP decreased levels of stress and enhanced mindfulness, self-compassion and altruism from baseline to post-study. Changes were not significant for the wait-list condition. Although satisfaction with the MMP was high compliance was suboptimal. Conclusions: A peer-led MMP is feasible and may be a promising approach to enhance medical student wellbeing. Further research is needed to explore strategies to improve program compliance in this student population.https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/cmej/article/view/36643medical student wellnessstressmindfulness meditation |
| spellingShingle | Marlon Danilewitz Jacques Bradwejn Diana Koszycki A pilot feasibility study of a peer-led mindfulness program for medical students Canadian Medical Education Journal medical student wellness stress mindfulness meditation |
| title | A pilot feasibility study of a peer-led mindfulness program for medical students |
| title_full | A pilot feasibility study of a peer-led mindfulness program for medical students |
| title_fullStr | A pilot feasibility study of a peer-led mindfulness program for medical students |
| title_full_unstemmed | A pilot feasibility study of a peer-led mindfulness program for medical students |
| title_short | A pilot feasibility study of a peer-led mindfulness program for medical students |
| title_sort | pilot feasibility study of a peer led mindfulness program for medical students |
| topic | medical student wellness stress mindfulness meditation |
| url | https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/cmej/article/view/36643 |
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