Mindfulness and Health

Objectives

In recent years, the practice of mindfulness has exponentially demonstrated its effectiveness applied to the field of health. The results of studies show that the regular practice of mindfulness has multiple benefits in reducing blood pressure, chronic pain and improving various diseases such as cardiovascular, gastrointestinal problems, sleep problems, depression , anxiety, eating disorders and addictions, among others.

On the other hand, the high prevalence of stress and exhaustion (burnout) among medical professionals is well known. The difficulties in the relationship between the doctor and the patient are often one of the causes of this stress, added to the care pressure and other variables.

Knowledge of the effectiveness of mindfulness techniques on the part of the doctor can help, both in the transmission of this activity to the patient in the improvement of his illness, and in promoting more fluid communication. Educating future doctors on the need to enhance their own self-knowledge affects the quality of the healthcare relationship, as well as the organisation of their work, their own well-being and the working environment.

Learning outcomes

• Demonstrate the importance of complete attention in the doctor's professional practice.
• Apply mindfulness as a useful introspective tool for patients.
• Use the skills acquired in the diagnostic and therapeutic process of the most relevant pathologies.
• Employ conscious communication skills in your healthcare practice.
• Incorporate emotional self-management skills in your personal and professional life.

Competencies

General skills

• Ensure adequate knowledge of written and spoken English, taking into account an appropriate medical register in order to be able to communicate effectively in the international scientific and professional community.
• Recognise one's own limitations and the need to recycle professional skills, giving particular importance to acquiring new knowledge and techniques independently and motivation to strive for quality.

Basic skills

• Students have demonstrated knowledge and understanding in a field of study that builds on general secondary education with the support of advanced textbooks and knowledge of the latest advances in this field of study.
• Students have developed the learning skills necessary to undertake further studies with a high degree of independent learning.
• Students have the ability to gather and interpret relevant data (usually within their field of study) in order to make judgements that include reflection on relevant social, scientific and ethical issues.

Core skills

• Be a critical thinker before knowledge in all its dimensions. Show intellectual, cultural and scientific curiosity and a commitment to professional rigour and quality.
• Display professional skills in complex multidisciplinary contexts, working in networked teams, whether face-to-face or online, through use of information and communication technology.
• Use oral, written and audiovisual forms of communication, in one's own language and in foreign languages, with a high standard of use, form and content.

Content

• Introduction to mindfulness
• Scientific bases and studies on the benefits of mindfulness in various pathologies
• Attitudes in the practice of mindfulness
• Awareness of internal activity (metacognition: thoughts, emotions...)
• Body and movement awareness
• Emotional self-regulation to emotional well-being
• Self-care strategies: incorporation of short exercises into care practice
• Mindful communication: how to communicate bad news (from diagnosis to treatment; how to help live with uncertain prognoses and chronic illnesses)
• Management of care pressure and prevention of professional exhaustion (burnout) in medical practice
• Proposal for integrating the practice of mindfulness in personal life

Evaluation

Final assessment (consists of 3 elements)

• 50% Assignment submission
• 50% Final exam type test (can be retaken)
  If you fail, one reassessment activity is offered in the 15 days following the end of the subject.

As part of the subject, students are expected to do self-study. Estimated hours of self-study: 20 hours of reading and videos and 40 hours of exam preparation.

• 50% Group work: project on Mindfulness applied to the following diseases: chronic pain, cardiovascular problems, cancer, hypertension, fibromyalgia, depression, stress/anxiety, multiple sclerosis, type 2 diabetes, addictions.
• 50% Quiz-type final exam: 20 questions (T/F). A score of 5 is needed to pass (10 correct answers).

Methodology

The methodology is fundamentally participatory and is based on a combination of the following teaching instruments:

• Learning based on clinical cases
• Workshops or seminars
• Master classes

Bibliography

Reading

Teachers will provide complementary bibliography and compulsory reading throughout the course via the Virtual Campus.