Evaluating mindfulness training for medical and PhD nursing students.

Author: Noble H1, Reid J2, Walsh IK3, Ellison SE4, McVeigh C5
Affiliation:
1Senior Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast.
2Professor, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast.
3Clinical Academic/Senior Lecturer, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast.
4Staff nurse, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast.
5Lecturer. School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast.
Conference/Journal: Br J Nurs.
Date published: 2019 Jun 27
Other: Volume ID: 28 , Issue ID: 12 , Pages: 798-802 , Special Notes: doi: 10.12968/bjon.2019.28.12.798. , Word Count: 213


BACKGROUND: it is recognised that mindfulness training can positively impact holistic wellbeing and can improve mood, focus and resilience. Health service students often experience high levels of psychological morbidity. Engaging in mindfulness techniques may positively impact the psychological wellbeing of healthcare students. This is of vital importance to ensure optimum learning for healthcare practice with its associated challenges.

METHOD: an evaluation was conducted with medical students (n=4) and PhD nursing students (n=6), who took part in a mindfulness-based workshop, followed by five weekly 30-minute sessions of mindfulness training, including a 15-minute meditation exercise. Data collection was carried out at baseline and post intervention, followed by a focus group discussion to elucidate qualitative experiences.

RESULTS: significant findings were identified with respect to cognitive mindfulness scores (P=0.02) and resilience (P=0.04).

DISCUSSION: data reflected three themes: the impact of mindfulness and maintaining practice, improvements in wellbeing, and improvements in academic endeavour.

CONCLUSIONS: this evaluation found significant improvements in the ability to cope with stress and increased attention and resilience in all students. Although results are not generalisable in this small evaluation, students reported increased concentration levels and improved focus, both of which are likely to impact positively on any psychological symptoms, particularly those related to workload pressures.

KEYWORDS: Mindfulness; Psychological wellbeing; Resilience; Students

PMID: 31242119 DOI: 10.12968/bjon.2019.28.12.798

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