A tailored online mindfulness intervention for junior doctors: a mixed-methods study.
6 affiliations
- 1Rural Clinical School of WA, University of Western Australia, Busselton, Australia. [email protected].
- 2Rural Clinical School of WA, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
- 3Rural Clinical School of WA, University of Western Australia, Albany, Australia.
- 4Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Australia.
- 5Monash Centre for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
- 6Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
Abstract
Background
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.Methods
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.Results
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.Conclusion
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.Open science
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.
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BibTeX
@article{moore2026tailored,
title = {{A tailored online mindfulness intervention for junior doctors: a mixed-methods study.}},
author = {S Moore and H Ngo and K Auret and A Toffoli and L O'Sullivan and B Cuesta-Briand and C Hassed and R Chambers and N Mavaddat},
journal = {BMC medical education},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1186/s12909-026-09947-5},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/43009971},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - A tailored online mindfulness intervention for junior doctors: a mixed-methods study.
AU - S Moore
AU - H Ngo
AU - K Auret
AU - A Toffoli
AU - L O'Sullivan
AU - B Cuesta-Briand
AU - C Hassed
AU - R Chambers
AU - N Mavaddat
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/12
JO - BMC medical education
DO - 10.1186/s12909-026-09947-5
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/43009971
AB - Background 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.Methods 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.Results 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.Conclusion 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.Open science 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.
SN - 1472-6920
ER -