Online Mindful Self-Compassion Training for Medical Students: an Exploratory Feasibility Study

Online Mindful Self-Compassion Training for Medical Students: an Exploratory Feasibility Study

The goal of this clinical trial is to develop and investigate a compassion-based intervention (Self-Compassion for Healthcare Communities (SCHC) course) in medical students. The main objectives are:

1. Explore the feasibility of trial processes including recruitment, adherence, retention, and follow-up
2. Explore the experiences of medical students with the Compassion-based intervention, including perceived effects, barriers and facilitators to participation, suggestions for improvement
3. Determine potential effects on burnout, compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, self-compassion, compassion for others, empathy, mindfulness, perceived stress, and emotional regulation.

Participants will be asked to take part in a 6-week online Self-Compassion for Healthcare Communities course and report changes in levels of burnout, compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, self-compassion, compassion for others, empathy, mindfulness, perceived stress, and emotional regulation from pre- to post-intervention and at 3-month follow-up. Additionally, participants will be asked to take part in a semi-structured interview to explore their experiences with the course, perceived effects, and suggestions for improvement.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Enrolled in first or second-year of the MD or MD/PhD program at the University of Toronto,
2. Over 18 years of age,
3. Able to speak, read, and write in English,
4. Willing to take part in the SCHC course for up to the full 6-week duration,
5. Willing to complete all study related questionnaires

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Those already having completed a mindful self-compassion course or Mindfulness based-intervention (Mindfulness-based stress reduction or Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy) within the past 12 months.