Psychological characteristics of premedical students in the situation of COVID-19 and educational effect of self reflection meditation / 의료커뮤니케이션

ABSTRACT

Background@# In the situation of the national crisis caused by Covid-19, healthcare providers face leadership challenges and professional composure for the benefit of the community. This article aims to find out that self-reflection meditation class for premedical students improves medical leadership and resilience needed for healthcare providers. @*Methods@# The sample was comprised of 109 premedical students at Pusan National University. We lectured ‘Physicians and leadership’ class focused on self-reflection and meditation for six weeks. We surveyed stress factors, self-reflection, self-esteem, and expectations for life before the class and asked about course satisfaction and changes after the class. A total of 109 questionnaires were retrieved to analyze the data and derive the results of the study. @*Results@# In the questionnaires about stress factors and self-reflections, grades and exams and questions related to expectations for life recorded the highest average, and negative thinking about self-esteem has the lowest score. In the questionnaire, which asked students to describe their feelings and changes through meditation, most students answered that they could learn to empty negative feelings and be emotionally calm and stable. These were also found in the reflection note analysis. Students experienced ‘self-understanding through deep reflection’ and ‘resolve vague anxiety and fear’ through meditation. This also leads to increase self-awareness and self-satisfaction. @*Conclusion@# Self-reflection meditation class improved emotional and psychological stability for students and fostered self-leadership to drive their lives in the direction they want. This facilitates interpersonal relationships, leadership, and resilience needed as a healthcare provider.