Mind-Body Skills Training for Resident Wellness: A Pilot Study of a Brief Mindfulness Intervention

Overview

Journal J Med Educ Curric Dev

Publisher Sage Publications

Specialty Medical Education

Date 2018 May 22

PMID 29780891

Citations 16

Authors

Laura E Romcevich

Suzanne Reed

Stacy R Flowers

Kathi J Kemper

John D Mahan

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Interventions to address burnout include mind-body skills training (MBST), but few studies have evaluated the feasibility of MBST for busy pediatric residents.

Objective: In this pilot study, we tested the feasibility of a brief MBST intervention, using in-person peer-led training supported by online modules, to decrease stress and burnout in pediatric resident physicians.

Methods: Of 99 (10%) residents, 10 residents at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Ohio participated in up to four 90-minute MBST sessions more than 1 month, led by a co-resident with 5 years of informal training in mind-body skills. Participants were offered 8 assigned online modules through OSU Center for Integrative Health and Wellness. Measures including Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Cohen's Perceived Stress, Smith's Brief Resilience, Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised, and Neff's Self-Compassion Scale (NSS) were administered before (T1) and after (T2) the course. Participants were offered optional monthly "maintenance" sessions for 6 months and completed a third set of measures at this follow-up (T3).

Results: The residents completed an average of 4.3/8 online modules and attended an average of 2.8/4 in-person sessions. There was significant improvement in positive attitude, perceived stress, and resilience post intervention (T2). Follow-up evaluation (T3) also demonstrated significant improvement in burnout (depersonalization) and mindfulness. More than 75% of participants found the course worthwhile.

Conclusions: A short mixed-method mindfulness-based skills course may be a practical way to offer resilience and stress management training to busy resident physicians.

Citing Articles

Mindfulness in the Medical Learning Environment: An Opportunity for the Struggling Learner?.

Vipler B, Williams E Med Sci Educ. 2025; 34(6):1513-1519.

PMID: 39758469 PMC: 11699173. DOI: 10.1007/s40670-024-02115-8.

Enhancing wellbeing in medical practice: Exploring interventions and effectiveness for improving the work lives of resident (junior) doctors: A systematic review and narrative synthesis.

Hirayama Y, Khan S, Gill C, Thoburn M, Hancox J, Muzaffar J Future Healthc J. 2024; 11(4):100195.

PMID: 39583992 PMC: 11584606. DOI: 10.1016/j.fhj.2024.100195.

Improving physician wellness through the Applied Mindfulness Program for Medical Personnel: findings from a prospective qualitative study.

Weisbaum E, Chadi N, Young L CMAJ Open. 2023; 11(6):E1083-E1092.

PMID: 37989514 PMC: 10681671. DOI: 10.9778/cmajo.20220252.

Breath-Body-Mind Core Techniques to Manage Medical Student Stress.

Gerbarg P, Cruz-Cordero Y, Conte V, Garcia M, Brana A, Estape E J Med Educ Curric Dev. 2023; 10:23821205231212056.

PMID: 37953880 PMC: 10637144. DOI: 10.1177/23821205231212056.

Resident Physician Perspectives on Mindfulness Education in Residency: A Multispecialty Qualitative Assessment of Clinical Care Impact.

Minichiello V, Webber S J Grad Med Educ. 2023; 15(3):356-364.

PMID: 37363667 PMC: 10286909. DOI: 10.4300/JGME-D-22-00492.1.

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