Mindfulness in Surgical Training (MiST): A Modified Mindfulness Curriculum for Surgical Residents.
Elizabeth Miazga, Brenna E Swift, Madalina Maxim, Monica Pearl, Anna R Gagliardi, Janet Bodley, Michèle Farrugia, Hava Starkman, Anna Kobylianskii, Julie Maggi, Carol-Anne Moulton, Dana Soroka, Andrea N Simpson
Journal of surgical education 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsurg.2024.103351 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Prospective cohort study with multiple methods design Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 12 |
| Population | Obstetrics and gynecology residents in postgraduate years 2-5 at the University of Toronto |
| Intervention | modified mindfulness curriculum |
| Duration | 12-week intervention, with follow-up at 3 months postintervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Curriculum Medical education Medical residency |
| Key findings | A modified mindfulness curriculum reduced anxiety and increased surgical confidence among surgical residents, with sustained use of mindfulness techniques in the operating room. |
Abstract
Residents experience numerous work-related and personal stressors that make it difficult to focus in the operating room, negatively impacting learning and surgical performance. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy decreases anxiety and improves memory and learning. This study aimed to create a feasible and desirable modified mindfulness curriculum for surgical residents. This was a prospective cohort study using multiple methods design to assess a 12-week modified mindfulness curriculum tailored to busy surgical trainees involving a 30 min group session weekly and 15 minutes home practice daily. The main outcomes were program feasibility and desirability. Focus groups explored how mindfulness techniques were used in the operating room. Secondary outcomes were measured in a pre- and post- intervention design assessing surgical performance, anxiety, confidence and burnout using validated assessment scales. Outcome measures were collected at baseline, immediately following the course and at 3 months postintervention. Academic obstetrics and gynecology residency program. Obstetrics and gynecology residents in postgraduate years 2-5 at the University of Toronto were invited to participate in Mindfulness in Surgical Training. Twelve (20%) out of 61 eligible residents enrolled in the program and 8 (67%) completed the course. There was a statistically significant decrease in anxiety (p < 0.001) and increase in surgical confidence (p = 0.007) following the mindfulness curriculum using validated survey tools. There was no change in burnout or surgical performance evaluations. Thematic analysis identified that mindfulness tools were beneficial and regularly utilized by participants in the operating room with sustained use 3 months post intervention. The biggest barrier to participation in the mindfulness curriculum was time. Participants felt the residency program should support ongoing mindfulness training to promote a positive culture shift. A modified mindfulness curriculum designed for surgical trainees is feasible, desirable, reduces anxiety and increases surgical confidence.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Undergraduate students | 2006 | Observational cohort | |
| Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Participants with extensive Insight meditation experience and matched controls | 2005 | Observational cohort | n = 20 |
| Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Experienced meditators and matched meditation-naive controls | 2011 | Observational cohort | |
| Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Long-term Buddhist practitioners and controls | 2004 | Observational cohort |
Citations in the library
Cites 3
- Feasibility of Formal Mindfulness-Based Stress-Resilience Training Among Surgery Interns JAMA Surgery August 30, 2018
- Mindfulness in the OR: A Pilot Study Investigating the Efficacy of an Abbreviated Mindfulness Intervention on Improving Performance in the Operating Room. Journal of surgical education 2021
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction and health benefits. A meta-analysis. Journal of Psychosomatic Research July 1, 2004