Effect of a Mindfulness Intervention on Stress and Coping Strategies in Physician Assistant Students
Date of Award
7-1-2015
Document Type
Open Access Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Medical Science (MMSc)
First Advisor
Alexandria Garino, MS, PA-C
Abstract
Physician assistant students represent a stressed population, often with poor coping skills. Prior research amongst undergraduate and graduate students has shown that mindfulness interventions are often effective in reducing stress in the short-term. This has not been studied in physician assistant students or for long-term outcomes. We propose a randomized controlled trial to study the effects of a mindfulness intervention on short-term and long-term physician assistant student stress and coping skills. Students from three sites in Connecticut will be provided an eight week mindfulness intervention or be placed in a control group. Stress and coping skills will be measured at baseline, eight weeks, 26 weeks, and 52 weeks to determine intervention effectiveness. This study could offer evidence that mindfulness is an effective means of reducing stress and improving coping skills in both the short and long-term among physician assistant students, which could lead to improved mental health.
Recommended Citation
Volpe, Mark, "Effect of a Mindfulness Intervention on Stress and Coping Strategies in Physician Assistant Students" (2015). Yale School of Medicine Physician Associate Program Theses. 76.
https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/ysmpa_theses/76
