The goal of this clinical trial is to develop and investigate a compassion-based intervention (Self-Compassion for Healthcare Communities (SCHC) course) in medical students. The main objectives are: 1. Explore the feasibility of trial processes including recruitment, adherence, retention, and follow-up 2. Explore the experiences of medical students with the Compassion-based intervention, including perceived effects, barriers and facilitators to participation, suggestions for improvement 3. Determine potential effects on burnout, compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, self-compassion, compassion for others, empathy, mindfulness, perceived stress, and emotional regulation. Participants will be asked to take part in a 6-week online Self-Compassion for Healthcare Communities course and report changes in levels of burnout, compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, self-compassion, compassion for others, empathy, mindfulness, perceived stress, and emotional regulation from pre- to post-intervention and at 3-month follow-up. Additionally, participants will be asked to take part in a semi-structured interview to explore their experiences with the course, perceived effects, and suggestions for improvement.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
45
An online 6-week mindful self-compassion course with weekly sessions.
University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
RECRUITINGRecruitment
The investigators will measure the number of participants eligible for and recruited to the study.
Time frame: 4 months
Retention
The investigators will measure the percentage of participants who complete outcome data.
Time frame: 4 months
Adherence
The investigators will measure the number of participants who completed the Self-Compassion for Healthcare Communities course.
Time frame: 4 months
Follow-up rates
The investigators will measure the percentage of participants who complete outcome measures pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at 3 months post-intervention.
Time frame: 4 months
Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL) Version 5
Measures the positive and negative effects of one's compassion for those that they help. Includes with subscales for compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue (including burnout). Answers are assessed using a 5-point Likert scale, with higher scores on the compassion satisfaction sub-scale indicating higher compassion satisfaction, and higher scores on compassion fatigue sub-scale indicating higher burnout.
Time frame: Baseline, post-intervention (6 weeks after baseline), and 3 months post-intervention
Self-Compassion Scale - Short Form
Measures how one typically acts towards themselves in difficult times. The total score ranges from a 1-5, with higher scores representing high self-compassion.
Time frame: Baseline, post-intervention (6 weeks after baseline), and 3 months post-intervention
Relational Compassion Scale
Measure's ones tendencies for receiving and providing relational compassion. Answers are assessed using a 4-point Likert scale. Higher scores represent higher compassion for self and others.
Time frame: Baseline, post-intervention (6 weeks after baseline), and 3 months post-intervention
The Brief Interpersonal Reactivity Index
Measures the different ways that people may think about their lives. Answers are assessed using a 5-point Likert scale, with higher scores representing higher empathic responsiveness.
Time frame: Baseline, post-intervention (6 weeks after baseline), and 3 months post-intervention
Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire: Short Form
Measures one's tendencies to engage in mindfulness practices. Answers are assessed using a 5-point Likert scale, with higher scores representing more mindfulness.
Time frame: Baseline, post-intervention (6 weeks after baseline), and 3 months post-intervention
Perceived Stress Scale-10
Measures one's thoughts and feelings pertaining to stress. The total score can range from 0-40, with higher scores indicating higher perceived stress.
Time frame: Baseline, post-intervention (6 weeks after baseline), and 3 months post-intervention
Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale - Short Form
Measures emotion regulation. Answers are assessed using a 5-point Likert scale. Higher values indicate greater difficulties in emotion regulation.
Time frame: Baseline, post-intervention (6 weeks after baseline), and 3 months post-intervention
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