title: A comparison between wellness awareness among medical students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess and compare the dimensions of spiritual wellness as elements of quality care in medical students of private and public medical universities.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cross-sectional study was carried out at private and public medical universities in Karachi from November 2013 to January 2015.Students from both genders and all ethnic groups19-23 years of age were included. The responses of spiritual wellness were obtained and evaluated on a four-point Likert's scale; score ranging from 0-3. Data was analysed using Predictive Analysis Software version 18.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 736 students, 286 (38.9%) were from public medical universities and 450 (61.1%) were from private-sector institutions. Students of both types of universities were aware of the concept of spiritual wellness but the level of awareness needed scaling up. Public-sector students had a stronger will, were more physically and mentally alert, more compassionate, empathetic and enthusiastic about their relationship with patients than their private-sector counterparts (p<0.05). They used spiritual wellness as a coping strategy to deal with difficult situations through religious activities. Though attentive listening was a predominant feature in both groups, the use of communication skills required particular attention to improve the element of compassionate care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Empowerment of spiritual wellness is more likely to enable medical students to be more compassionate towards their patients and strengthen doctor-patient relationship.
authors.affiliation: Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Rehana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rehman
authors.affiliation: Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Shahjahan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Katpar
authors.affiliation: Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Mehwish
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hussain
authors.affiliation: iCAT Transmission, Islamabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Rakhshaan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, KSA.
authors.forename: Mukhtiar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baig
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D029181:Spirituality; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Spiritual wellness, Spirituality, Compassionate care, Medical Students, Pakistan.  