ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Objectives

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This elective is designed to facilitate the student’s mastery of the following defined competencies:

• Interpersonal and Communication Skills: demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in the effective exchange of information and collaboration with patients, their families, and health professionals.

• Professionalism: demonstrate a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities and an adherence to ethical principles.

• Personal and Professional Development: demonstrate the qualities required to sustain lifelong personal and professional growth.

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Competencies

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At the completion of this elective, students will:

• Describe a variety of healing modalities including meditation, guided imagery, autogenic training, journal writing, and movement and reflect on the ways these skills can be helpful personally and professionally.

• Articulate the importance of self-awareness and self-care for personal health and well-being and the importance of maintaining a balance between the intellectual, emotional, physical social, and spiritual aspects of their lives.

• Further develop the skill of metacognition.

• Appreciate the value of an on-going commitment to personal growth as fundamental to the practice of health and wellness.

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Description

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Mind-Body approaches—including mindfulness, guided imagery, biofeedback, breathing techniques, art, music and movement are evidence-based skills that can alleviate stress and foster self-awareness and self-care. The purpose of this course is to introduce a variety of mind-body modalities to students and faculty across the University, so that they can experience them for themselves and gain insights into their use both personally and professionally. Each course can accommodate a maximum of 10 students. Each group will meet for 2 consecutive hours, once a week for 9 weeks with two trained co-facilitators, who will co-lead the sessions. The students will learn the techniques, practice them, and discuss their experiences with members of the small group. Students will have an opportunity not only for individual attention and instruction, but also for sharing what they are learning about mind-body medicine and about themselves. Students will be required to practice skills taught on their own for 20 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Recommended readings will be distributed.

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Program adapted from Georgetown University Mind Body Medicine Program