Effects of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program to Tolerance of Ambiguity, Depression, and Burnout in
Bethany Grubb1, Samarpita Sengupta, Veronica Coleman
1Dep. of Physician Assistant Studies, UT-Southwestern School of Health Professions, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9090, USA. Tel 214-648-1701. Bethany.grubb@utsouthwestern.edu.
Purpose:
To evaluate the efficacy of a modified mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) curriculum in reducing burnout and depression and increasing the tolerance of ambiguity in physician assistant/associate (PA) students.
Methods:
A comprehensive modified MBSR curriculum was designed based on evidence-based practices and implemented for PA students in the didactic phase of the curriculum. To measure its efficacy, using a prospective cohort design, we evaluated changes in burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory), depression (Harvard Dep. of Psychiatry/National Depression Screening Day), and tolerance of ambiguity (Tolerance of Ambiguity in Medical Students and Doctors, TAMSAD) in students before and after the implementation of the curriculum (n=85). We compared results to two other PA programs not receiving the MBSR curriculum (n=46). The students also provided qualitative assessments of the program.
Results:
The percentage of students reporting burnout on the Maslach Burnout Inventory decreased by 9.9% after implementation of the curriculum in the intervention group and increased by 18.2% in the control group. The percentage of students reporting difficulty concentrating decreased by 22.9% in the intervention group after MBSR and increased by 5.9% in the control group. The scores on the TAMSAD scale showed a marked improvement in the intervention group (55 to 59) after the curriculum was implemented with no change in the control group. The students also provided qualitative assessments of the program related to types and benefits of the mindful wellness practice utilized.
Conclusions:
The mindful wellness curriculum could be implemented effectively in other allied health programs to address the ever-increasing mental health challenges that students face. Increased levels of the tolerance of ambiguity allow students to more confidently face life's uncertainties and a rigorous curriculum.
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