Abstract
Background: Medical students commonly experience high levels of psychological distress and burnout. Yoga and mindfulness interventions have shown promise in mitigating these issues, yet their integration and acceptability in the medical school setting remains underexplored.
Materials and Methods: This study involved three phases. Phase 1 surveyed medical students (years 4-6) at the University of Otago, Wellington campus, using a questionnaire to assess their attitudes towards and preferences for yoga and mindfulness interventions. Phase 2 gathered insights from experienced yoga teachers and student-teachers on methods for implementing these interventions in medical education. The data was collected through electronic distribution of questionnaires. In phase 3 the data was analysed to develop recommendations for initiatives at the University of Otago, Wellington.
Results: A high acceptance rate (70.5%) among medical students was observed regarding the likelihood of participating in yoga or mindfulness classes if provided by the medical school. Three key recommendations emerged from the experienced yogi survey: integrating yoga and mindfulness into the curriculum, offering low-cost yoga classes, and establishing a dedicated mindfulness space on campus.
Conclusions: The study underscores strong interest among medical students for integrating yoga and mindfulness interventions into their curriculum and campus life. These findings support the feasibility and potential benefits of incorporating such programmes to promote mental well-being and prevention of burnout among medical students.