Abstract

The medical profession is one of intense satisfaction, but can also be extremely stressful for those who chose to work in it. Over the years, the effects that the stresses of this profession and its training can have on doctors and medical students have been observed. Of equal importance, the effects this may have on patient care have also been studied. The purpose of this study is to examine the positive benefits Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program (MBSR) can have in combatting stress in medical students and in increasing the quality of patient care. First and second year medical students at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine underwent a modified eight week MBSR program created at the Mindfulness Institute at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Students filled out several surveys which gauged their levels of mindfulness, perceived stress, empathy for patients, and patient care perspective. Trained standardized patients rated students’ empathy after participating in an encounter with the student. When compared to the control group, students who underwent the intervention showed deviation to a patient-centered care approach, decreased perceived stress, and increase in patient perceived empathy; however, these differences were not statistically significant. Of statistical significance, students in the intervention group showed increases in mindfulness and self-reported empathy when compared to control group subsequent to the intervention. Due to the small number of subjects, this study is considered a pilot study, and after power analysis, a larger study should be performed to investigate further.