CMFT update – April 2017

04 Apr 2017

Maha Noor, a 4th Year medical student and Wellness Champion Coordinator, gives an overview of the programme of activities at CMFT that have been introduced to improve the wellbeing of undergraduates

Undergraduate Medical Student Wellness Programme

Maha Noor, a 4th Year medical student and Wellness Champion Coordinator, gives an overview of the programme of activities at CMFT that have been introduced to improve the wellbeing of undergraduates

I remember towards the end of my third year at medical school, I was extremely stressed and felt burnt out and just wanted medical school to end. I was frustrated with myself for struggling so much with something so small (taking care of myself) and wondered if anyone else struggled too.

Then summer came and so did the sunshine; and things felt a lot better. I had more time to think about what was really going on in my head. I realised that many of my friends and peers felt exactly the same. We all felt that although our course and career is very interesting and fulfilling, coping with the challenges it brings is unfortunately not quite the same.

This raised the question: Is there a way to cope with the demands of the amazing career we have chosen, without it taking a toll on us? Well let me tell you, yes, there is.

In September 2016, Elizabeth Naamorkor Caulley, the CMFT undergraduate wellness coordinator, initiated a new (pilot) programme called The CMFT Undergraduate Medical Student Wellness Programme. It is a student-led programme, which aims to help medical students navigate through the many emotional, physical, social and academic challenges they will face throughout their education.

As future doctors, not only do we need to learn the art and science of caring for our patients, but also the art and science of caring for ourselves. Medical school is of course challenging, but it shouldn’t feel like a ‘last man/woman standing’ situation, where we have to test every iota of our will, strength and emotions to the point of physical and mental collapse. The programme aims to prepare us for when we begin our medical career, so that we may cultivate the tools for wellness that work for us, and can recognise the signs that we might need to get help.

The Wellness programme is multi-dimensional, and aims to cover many aspects of student’s wellbeing. These include, mind, body, social life, study skills, mentoring and the community. Currently, there are seven student champions and each of them leads a separate sector of wellbeing. The programme provides the following activities for medical students:

Ask the Professionals – a team comprising a consultant psychiatrist, the Central Student Welfare and Professionalism Support (SWAPS) Team and representatives from General Medical Council help to support medical students’ emotional wellbeing. Students can submit questions by completing an eForm on their iPad and the answers to the questions are published anonymously. So far, the team has helped students with issues such as difficulty sleeping, helping a friend struggling with depression and dealing with senior staff as a new clinical year student.

Tea/Coffee Afternoon Sessions – the champions have organised Tea/Coffee Afternoon relaxation sessions for students to come and have food, tea and coffee, and talk to them about various things that concern them.

Free Yoga Class – We offer free weekly drop-in yoga sessions, which include approx. 45 minutes of Hatha Yoga, followed by 15 minutes of mindfulness meditation and relaxation. Students have given positive feedback such as: “The yoga really helped me to relax and unwind, and put the days worries to rest”, “really made a difference to my mood and energy”.

Puppies Therapy – In January 2017, CMFT teamed up with Claire Mimnagh and The Guide Dog Association to bring guide dog puppies, retired guide dogs and labradors of all ages to the Stopford Building to give students the chance to relax in the build-up to exams. It helped to reduce stress levels amongst medical students and staff, along with raising money for the Guide Dog Association.

Meet your Champions Month – throughout the month of May 2017, the wellness champions will be organising an event, which involves challenges focusing on the different pillars of the wellness dimensions for each week i.e. nutritional, physical, mental, and social academic balance. Challenges include eating a healthy meal, exercising for 150 minutes, reading a book or practising yoga.

If you want to become a part of this exciting and helpful new initiative, then contact Elizabeth Naamorkor Caulley or Dr Beth Jameson for more information.

To get more information and learn about our events, visit: https://bit.ly/ugmewellness