The impact of a mindful compassion program for medical trainees.
Flora Wong, Nikki Ashtiani, Raphael Cuomo, Anaheed Shirazi, Matthew Herbert, Gage Chu, Renée Lewis, Desiree Shapiro
BMC medical education July 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-025-07439-6 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA 6-week mindful self-compassion training for 22 medical trainees (17 students, 5 residents) led to significant improvements in mindfulness, interconnectedness, perceived stress, life enjoyment, and compassion. However, no significant changes in burnout, self-compassion, or emotional intelligence occurred at any follow-up point. The findings suggest that accessible interventions can enhance mindfulness and stress management among medical trainees, but further research with larger samples is needed.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 22 |
| Population | Medical trainees (medical students and residents) |
| Intervention | mindful self-compassion training |
| Duration | 6-week intervention, follow-up at 6, 12, and 18 weeks |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Connectedness Medical education Medical trainees Self-compassion |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key finding | The mindful self-compassion training significantly improved mindfulness, interconnectedness, perceived stress, life enjoyment, and compassion but did not significantly change burnout, self-compassion, or emotional intelligence. |
Abstract
Medical training is intellectually, physically, and emotionally challenging. Trainees experience concerning rates of burnout, compassion fatigue, poor mental health outcomes, and reduced overall well-being, which may negatively impact the quality of care for patients. Mindfulness interventions help mitigate stress and reduce burnout, however, limited time, insufficient resources and training, and competing priorities are consistent barriers. A total of 22 medical trainees, comprising 17 medical students and 5 residents, participated in a 6-week mindful self-compassion training. The pilot study aimed to 1) evaluate the effect of the program on mindfulness, self-compassion, life satisfaction, connectedness, emotional intelligence, stress, and burnout among medical trainees; and 2) explore challenges and feasibility of implementing mindfulness programs in medical training. Pre- and post-intervention surveys were implemented at 6, 12, and 18 weeks. Results showed significant improvements in levels of mindfulness, interconnectedness, perceived stress, life enjoyment, and compassion. However, no significant changes in rates of burnout, self-compassion, or emotional intelligence were found at any of the follow-up time points. Findings suggest that accessible interventions can enhance mindfulness and stress management among medical trainees. Additional research is needed to expand the sample size and scale of training.