Recent research studies have indicated that the practice of mindfulness is strongly correlated with enhanced well-being and improved resilience in a variety of populations. Mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to reduce stress and symptoms of burnout in physicians. However, the two studies that included residents were observational trials evaluating the effect of an abbreviated, informal mindfulness course.
The aim of the investigator's study is to assess whether a standardized course in mindfulness meditation (Mindful Awareness Practices, MAPs) reduces self--reported signs and symptoms of stress, burnout, depression, anxiety, loneliness and poor sleep quality in residents in pediatrics training. This study is a randomized controlled trial using 2 parallel groups. The pediatrics residents randomized to the intervention will participate in a standardized mindful awareness practices intervention consisting of one live 45- minute session and 5 web--based self--study sessions. The live session will be administered by a trained mindfulness educator at the UCLA Westwood, Olive View Medical Center and Cedars--Sinai Medical Center campuses. The waitlist group will have the opportunity to participate in the same course once the study has been completed. Participants will respond to questionnaires to assess for levels of stress and other mental health measures before and after the intervention to see if the intervention group had a reduction in symptoms compared to the waitlist group.
