BMC medical education
March 5, 2025
H D Aicher, F Müller, P Gasser
11 citations
Demand for specialized training in psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) in Switzerland far exceeds supply, and this gap is expected to widen as psychedelics potentially become regulated prescription medications. Since 2014, MDMA, psilocybin, and LSD have been available under limited medical use as exceptional treatments. The Swiss Medical Association for Psychedelic Therapy (SÄPT) offers a comprehensive three-year training program for physicians and psychologists that integrates theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience, emphasizing the therapeutic relationship, ethical considerations, and managing altered states of consciousness. Several organizations have expanded educational offerings, including workshops, conferences, and symposia. Establishing certification standards and ensuring training quality are essential for safe and effective PAT.
BMC medical education
October 22, 2024
S Moore, N Mavaddat, K Auret et al.
9 citations
Medical students who completed an 8-week online mindfulness training program showed modest improvements in mindfulness (9%), self-compassion (5%), and study engagement (4%) immediately after the program, compared to a control group that received only the normal curriculum. The mindfulness improvement was sustained at 6 months (5%), but no other lasting benefits were detected. The control group showed no significant changes. These results suggest that online mindfulness training with minimal contact can provide short-term benefits for medical students, but further program refinements may be needed to maintain improvements over the longer term.
BMC medical education
March 27, 2025
Camilla Sköld, Anton Steen, Maria Niemi et al.
6 citations
A mixed-method survey of 201 healthcare students who completed a mindfulness-based stress management course found that most continued to practice mindfulness after graduation, with 85.3% of those who continued reporting that the competence helped in relationships with patients, compared to 57.1% who did not continue. Participants with prior mindfulness experience were more likely to sustain practice (84% vs. 50%). The qualitative analysis identified themes of increased acceptance, relaxation, self-compassion, and better patient interactions, alongside some negative experiences like aversiveness. The authors argue that learning mindfulness as a student can contribute to a sustainable professional life by building skills to handle stress and develop compassionate relationships.
BMC medical education
July 1, 2025
Flora Wong, Nikki Ashtiani, Raphael Cuomo et al.
3 citations
A 6-week mindful self-compassion training for 22 medical trainees (17 students, 5 residents) led to significant improvements in mindfulness, interconnectedness, perceived stress, life enjoyment, and compassion. However, no significant changes in burnout, self-compassion, or emotional intelligence occurred at any follow-up point. The findings suggest that accessible interventions can enhance mindfulness and stress management among medical trainees, but further research with larger samples is needed.
BMC medical education
July 17, 2025
Denish Gunawan, Lia Antico, William Nardi et al.
2 citations
A mindfulness program designed for Indonesian pre-clinical medical students was feasible and acceptable. Over three iterative phases, students reported moderate and rising interest (mean range: 5.75 to 6.6), high relevance to stress, perfectionism, and communication challenges, and a strong likelihood of applying practices like S.T.O.P. meditation and journaling. Qualitative feedback highlighted themes of relevance, practical benefit, and cultural fit. The program appears culturally appropriate and suitable for stress management and personal growth, though it remains in an early evaluative phase.
BMC medical education
April 3, 2025
Chloé Jammes, Isaac Heiman, Hakima Amri
2 citations
After three months of practicing Transcendental Meditation for 20 minutes twice daily, medical students at Georgetown University School of Medicine showed significant reductions in emotional exhaustion, anxiety, insomnia, depersonalization, and depression, along with increased resilience and mental wellbeing. The study involved 39 students who completed the training, with high compliance at 85%. More frequent home practice was linked to greater improvements in emotional exhaustion, anxiety, and insomnia. These results suggest that Transcendental Meditation is an accessible and effective intervention for decreasing burnout and increasing resilience among medical students.
BMC medical education
April 9, 2026
Nikita Sanati Morel, Dea Siggaard Stenbaek, Johan Lundberg et al.
Nine nurses completed a 15-week online and on-site training program to serve as facilitators in a trial of psilocybin treatment for depression in cancer patients. Subjective evaluations indicated the training supported knowledge and skill acquisition, but most nurses reported needing additional practical in-person training to feel adequately prepared. An objective assessment of verbal relational skills using role-plays showed a significant increase in only one of twelve measures, with medium to large effect sizes for six measures from pre- to post-training. The training model showed modest potential to improve outcomes, though effects were limited to role-play. The specific skills and qualifications needed for providing psychotherapeutic support in psilocybin treatment remain unclear.