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A tailored online mindfulness intervention for junior doctors: a mixed-methods study
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DOI：10.1186/s12909-026-09947-5.png)
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Abstract
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Junior doctor training is stressful and associated with significant challenges, including poor mental health and burnout. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are increasingly being offered within junior doctor education programs to support junior doctor wellbeing, with online platforms for delivery attracting interest. This mixed-method randomised waitlist control trial was conducted with junior doctors across two hospitals in Western Australia. The intervention was an 8-week online mindfulness training program, with usual training as control. Outcome measures were changes from baseline to program completion (eight weeks) and then one-month follow-up for self-reported surveys of trait mindfulness, perceived stress, self-compassion, occupational stress, and work engagement. Intervention and control participants completed surveys at all three time points. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with participants at program completion. Seventy-two (35 intervention, 37 control) junior doctors were randomised. Seventeen did not complete the baseline measures. Data for the remaining 55 participants (28 Intervention, 27 Control) were retained for analysis. Most intervention participants formally practiced mindfulness two to three times per week for five to seven minutes however quality of formal and informal practice was low. For the intervention group, perceived stress increased at program completion (-1.4, 95% CI − 2.6, -0.3, p = 0.0151) while work engagement was decreased (-2.9, CI − 5.6, -0.2, p = 0.0355) at final follow-up. There were no significant changes in any of the outcomes for the control group at any follow-up point. Thirteen intervention participants undertook focus groups or individual interviews about their experience. Despite lack of positive quantitative findings, benefits reported regarding the program during interview included: improved self-awareness, emotion regulation, self-compassion and work productivity, as well as professional and personal relationships. Barriers to participation in the program included limited time, work stress, and challenges with elements of the intervention. This novel online mindfulness training program was not associated with improvements in measured outcomes including trait-mindfulness, perceived stress, self-compassion, occupational stress or work engagement for participating junior doctors. This contrasts with our qualitative findings suggesting that junior doctors experience some wellbeing benefits from participating, and with the results of our similar trial in medical students. While the dose of mindfulness practice was the same for both trials, junior doctors’ adherence to practice was lower than medical students’ adherence. Organisational factors such as stressful workplaces and time limitations likely minimised the impact of the mindfulness intervention in this group. Trial Registry: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR). Trial Registration ID: ACTRN12622001248752. Protocol and statistical analysis plan: https://anzctr.org.au/. Request ID: 384649. Date of Registration: 16th September 2022. Data sharing: De-identified participant data, data dictionary, analytical code used to process data and materials associated with the intervention may be shared with researchers providing a methodologically sound proposal on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Primary Sponsor. Funding and conflicts of interest: Funding was provided by University of Western Australia and Fiona Stanley Hospital. There are no conflicts of interest to declare.
Keywords:
Online mindfulness training
Junior doctors
Wellbeing
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