A mindfulness-based cognitive therapy informed virtual psychiatry trainee wellbeing programme: Development and preliminary feedback

Abstract

Objective: To report the development and feedback on a newly created mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) informed virtual wellbeing programme for psychiatry trainees.

Methods: Thirteen of the 14 trainees participated in the programme provided feedback via an online questionnaire. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis.

Results: Thematic analysis revealed three main themes: timing of the intervention in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic; trainees were connected to the facilitator, their peers and within oneself; and trainees were going through a transformative experience.

Discussion: Our findings support including an optional MBCT informed wellbeing programme in psychiatry training programmes. Future research could measure efficacy of this online programme by utilising pre- and post-outcome measures of dispositional mindfulness and stress.

Keywords: mindfulness-based cognitive therapy; online intervention; psychiatry training; trainee wellbeing.