Sustainable benefits of mindfulness training in health professions education.
Camilla Sköld, Anton Steen, Maria Niemi, Bo Vinnars, Anna Kiessling
BMC Medical Education March 27, 2025 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-025-06998-y (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Mixed method survey study Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 201 |
| Population | Healthcare students who completed a mindfulness-based stress management course |
| Intervention | mindfulness based stress management course |
| Duration | Long-term follow-up after graduation |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Health professions education Self-compassion Stress Sustainable |
| Citations | 6 |
| Key findings | Healthcare students who continued mindfulness practice after graduation were more likely to report that the competence helped in relationships with patients (85.3%) than those who did not continue (57.1%). |
Abstract
Healthcare work and even studies towards a healthcare profession is associated with a high prevalence of distress. According to recent meta-analyses, half of the medical students worldwide suffer from burn out prior to residency, and 34% of nursing students suffer from depression. The aim of this study was to investigate healthcare students' long-term experiences of mindfulness training, and whether, how and why students were continuing their mindfulness practice after graduation. Further, to assess if background characteristics were associated with continuing mindfulness practice. A mixed method survey study based on predetermined and open-ended questions. Qualitative and quantitative data were analysed concurrently to assess effects on, and a deepened understanding of stress management, use of mindfulness in relation to patients, oneself and others, and continued practice of mindfulness. Two hundred one of the 380 (52,8%) students completing the mindfulness based stress management course (MBSM) answered the questionnaire. Of all, 175 (87,1%) students also answered free text questions. The qualitative analysis identified five themes: "Positive" Experiences, "Negative" Experiences, "Origin and development of interest in mindfulness" and "Continuing practice of mindfulness". A considerable proportion of the participants experienced increased acceptance, relaxation, ability to face difficulties, self-compassion and better interaction with patients, but some participants also experienced negative experiences such as aversiveness and ineffectiveness of the course. Those continuing to practice mindfulness after graduation were more likely (85.3%) to say that the gained competence helped in their relationship with patients, compared to those who did not continue to practice (57.1%); (chi2 = 18.13; df = 2; p < 0.001). Among those who had previous mindfulness or similar experience, 84% continue to practice mindfulness after the course, compared to 50% of those who had no previous experience (chi2 = 26; df = 1; p < 0.001). The long-term follow-up of mindfulness training for healthcare students shows that participants maintain a sustained capability to handle stressful work situations in their professional practice and develop a more compassionate relationship with themselves. We argue that skills to care for one's inner environment, such as learning mindfulness as a student, can contribute to a sustainable future professional life. However, further research is needed to confirm the transferability of the results.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on meditation, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Psychological Stress in Medical Students: A Systematic Review Healthcare July 2, 2026
- Pilot study on the effect of a Meditation-Mindfulness-Positive Psychology Training program on perceived stress and mental well-being in Korean nursing students: A mixed methods analysis. PLoS One 2026
- Intervention effects of subconscious cultivation in mindfulness-based physical education teaching and training on pain perception and psychological resilience in advanced cancer patients Psycho-Oncologie December 17, 2025
Cites 13
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- Meditation Lowers Stress and Supports Forgiveness Among College Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial Journal of American College Health March 1, 2008
- Six-year positive effects of a mindfulness-based intervention on mindfulness, coping and well-being in medical and psychology students; Results from a randomized controlled trial PLoS One April 24, 2018
- A Qualitative Study with Healthcare Staff Exploring the Facilitators and Barriers to Engaging in a Self-Help Mindfulness-Based Intervention Mindfulness May 25, 2017
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction for GPs: results of a controlled mixed methods pilot study in Dutch primary care British Journal of General Practice January 28, 2016
and 8 more in the library