Mindfulness in Surgical Training (MiST): A Modified Mindfulness Curriculum for Surgical Residents

• Published in: Journal of surgical education 2025-01, Vol.82 (1), p.103351, Article 103351
• Main Authors: Miazga, Elizabeth, Swift, Brenna E., Maxim, Madalina, Pearl, Monica, Gagliardi, Anna R., Bodley, Janet, Farrugia, Michèle, Starkman, Hava, Kobylianskii, Anna, Maggi, Julie, Moulton, Carol-Anne, Soroka, Dana, Simpson, Andrea N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Clinical Competence; Curriculum; Education, Medical, Graduate - methods; Feasibility Studies; Female; Focus Groups; General Surgery - education; Gynecology - education; Humans; Internship and Residency; Male; Medical education; Medical residency; Mindfulness; Obstetrics - education; Prospective Studies
• ISSN: 1931-7204; 1878-7452; 1878-7452
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsurg.2024.103351

•Mindfulness significantly decreased anxiety and increased surgical confidence.•Continuation of mindfulness in the operating room 3 months after course completion.•Time commitment was the main barrier to participation in mindfulness curriculum.•Participants wanted residency program support of ongoing mindfulness training. 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.