Developing epilepsy training capacity for primary care providers using the project ECHO telementoring model.

Background: Primary care providers (PCPs) provide a large proportion of care for people with epilepsy (PWE) and need regular training for updates. However, PCPs treat patients in so many therapeutic areas that epilepsy often becomes a less important concern. We used an established telementoring program, Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes), and combined epilepsy education with general neurology topics to generate more interest among PCPs.

Impact of a University-Wide Interdisciplinary Mind-Body Skills Program on Student Mental and Emotional Well-Being.

Background: Positive effects of mind-body skills programs on participant well-being have been reported in health professions students. The success seen with medical students at this university led to great interest in expanding the mind-body skills program so students in other disciplines could benefit from the program.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of a 9-week mind-body skills program on the mental and emotional well-being of multidisciplinary students compared to controls.

Feasibility and Acceptability of a Community-Based Modified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program for the Under- and Unemployed.

Background: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) often improves health outcomes, though literature primarily focuses on middle-class, employed individuals. With an estimated average of six million unemployed over the past year, and the recent uptick in unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to identify methods to mitigate and reduce the negative health outcomes often associated with under- and unemployment.

Objectives: We aimed to 1) outline the process of partnering with a community organization to implement a modified MBSR program for under- and unemployed individuals, and 2) present pilot data on preliminary results.