Purpose Several studies have documented the effects of physician assistant (PA) training on students' perceived stress and life satisfaction. Innovative curriculum design incorporating effective stress management resources may help address this concern. Methods Mindfulness and decentering training was incorporated into a first-quarter course for PA students. It included lecture, in-class demonstrations and practice, and out-of-class activities. Mindfulness (Experiences Questionnaire; Acceptance and Action Questionnaire) and general well-being (Satisfaction with Life Scale; Perceived Stress Scale) were assessed precourse, postcourse, and during follow-up. Results Students reported a significant increase in levels of mindfulness postcourse, which remained stable at a 4-month follow-up. These findings were consistent regardless of prior mindfulness practice. More importantly, changes in the levels of mindfulness significantly predicted changes in life satisfaction and perceived stress. Conclusion Stress management resources can be incorporated into PA courses through innovative curriculum design to help students cope with the demands of PA school.
PurposeThe current study examined stress reduction activities most commonly used by matriculating physician assistant (PA) students to better understand how students are approaching self-care and management of stress. In particular, the study examined levels of mindfulness and well-being to understand how these relate to various stress reduction approaches at the time of matriculation.MethodsNewly matriculated students at 9 PA programs located across the nation were surveyed (n = 294). Validated survey instruments assessed levels of mindfulness and general well-being. Stress reduction activities were also assessed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine levels of mindfulness and levels of well-being to see how these relate to various stress reduction approaches.ResultsThe survey response rate was 72%. Nearly one-third of respondents (32%) identified meditation as one of their stress reduction activities, and more than half (53%) reported having participated in mindfulness practice at least once in the past year. Sixty-four percent of students reported awareness of mindfulness practices, while only 16% reported frequent practice within the year prior to matriculation. When looking at variables of interest, decentering and psychological flexibility were significant in accounting for student-reported perceived stress and life satisfaction.ConclusionPA students are likely receptive to mindfulness-based interventions that have the potential to improve well-being and reduce stress. There is opportunity for programs to incorporate reliable and structured training within curricula that effectively increases levels of mindfulness and, in doing so, can lead to improvement in perceived stress and life satisfaction. Further research may assist educators in the development of strategies to promote student and clinician wellness.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with đź’™ for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.