Impact of COVID-19 on student perceived stress, life satisfaction, and psychological flexibility: examination of gender differences.

To identify stress management practices and examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on well-being among male and female physician assistant (PA) students. Participants included 1,239 students from nine PA programs who matriculated pre-pandemic, acute pandemic, or post-acute pandemic. Measures included questions about stress management practices and validated instruments assessing perceived stress, life satisfaction, and psychological flexibility.

Foundational Skill-Building in a Novel Well-being Curriculum.

Introduction: Mental illness and decreased well-being are pervasive throughout physician assistant (PA) training, and the accreditation standards require a wellness curriculum. The purpose of this study was to determine if a mandatory, multifaceted virtual wellness curriculum can mitigate the decline in well-being experienced by first-year PA students.

Methods: First-year PA students from 5 programs (n = 259) participated in a 16-week asynchronous virtual course.

Wellness in Physician Assistant Education: Exploring Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Stress.

Purpose: The current study examined stress reduction activities most commonly used by matriculating physician assistant (PA) students to better understand how students are approaching self-care and management of stress. In particular, the study examined levels of mindfulness and well-being to understand how these relate to various stress reduction approaches at the time of matriculation.

Methods: Newly matriculated students at 9 PA programs located across the nation were surveyed (n = 294).

Comparing the Effectiveness of Virtual and In-Person Delivery of Mindfulness-Based Skills Within Healthcare Curriculums.

Purpose: To promote well-being, healthcare education programs have incorporated mindfulness-based skills and principles into existing curriculums. Pandemic-related restrictions have compelled programs to deliver content virtually. Study objectives were to determine (1) whether teaching mindfulness-based skills within physician assistant (PA) programs can promote well-being and (2) whether delivery type (virtual vs.

Exploring the Effectiveness of Mindfulness and Decentering Training in a Physician Assistant Curriculum.

Purpose: Several studies have documented the effects of physician assistant (PA) training on students' perceived stress and life satisfaction. Innovative curriculum design incorporating effective stress management resources may help address this concern.

Methods: Mindfulness and decentering training was incorporated into a first-quarter course for PA students.