Long-term follow-up of mind-body medicine practices among medical school graduates

Abstract

Introduction: We sought to determine the long-term use of mind-body medicine (MBM) skills after graduation from medical school.Methods: An online survey was sent to Georgetown University School of Medicine (GUSOM) graduates who completed at least one semester of a MBM skills training course. Using a quantitative–qualitative mixed-methods approach, we assessed the personal and professional practices of graduates, and identified factors that may influence practice/training after graduation.Results: Current personal practices were positively related to the level of the course completed and amount of home practice during medical school (N = 112). Over half the sample indicated they currently practice MBM and refer patients to MBM. Moreover, physician specialty and awareness of home institution MBM training was associated with MBM patient training and referral. Participants reported a dearth of MBM training at their home institutions, and provided qualitative insights about the personal and professional impact of MBM training as well as barriers to continued MBM practice.Conclusions: The results provide preliminary evidence that MBM training during medical school may be related over time to physician trainee self-care and patient care. Rigorous tests of these relationships should be conducted in future work.