title: Mindfulness based stress reduction for medical students: optimising student satisfaction and engagement.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Medical practitioners and students are at increased risk of a number of personal and psychological problems. Stress and anxiety due to work-load and study requirements are common and self-care methods are important in maintaining well-being. The current study examines perceptions of and satisfaction ratings with a mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) programme for 1(st) year (compulsory) and 2(nd) year (optional) Graduate Entry Medical School students.
  
  
  METHODS
  A mixed method pre and post study of Year 1 (n = 140) and Year 2 (n = 88) medical students completing a 7 week MBSR course compared student satisfaction ratings. Thematic analysis of feedback from the students on their perception of the course was also carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Year 1 students (compulsory course) were less satisfied with content and learning outcomes than Year 2 students (optional course) (p < .0005). Thematic analysis of year 1 student feedback identified themes including great concept, poorly executed; and less discussion, more practice. Year 2 themes included session environment and satisfaction with tutors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The MBSR course was associated with high levels of satisfaction and positive feedback when delivered on an optional basis. Catering for the individual needs of the participant and promoting a safe environment are core elements of a successful self-care programme.
authors.affiliation: Counselling Department, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Declan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Aherne
authors.affiliation: Counselling Department, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.|Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Katie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Farrant
authors.affiliation: Counselling Department, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.|Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hickey
authors.affiliation: Counselling Department, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hickey
authors.affiliation: Counselling Department, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McGrath
authors.affiliation: Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Castletroy, Limerick, Ireland. deirdre.mcgrath@ul.ie.
authors.forename: Deirdre
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8666-7556
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McGrath
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D000068156:Formative Feedback; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D064866:Mindfulness; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Academic stress in medical students; Doctor burnout; Medical undergraduate; Mindfulness; Self-care; Stress reduction; Student satisfaction