How junior doctors perceive personalised yoga and group exercise in the management of occupational and traumatic stressors. Issue 1161 (9th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Taylor, Jennifer; Stratton, Elizabeth; McLean, Loyola; Richards, Bethan; Glozier, Nicholas
• Is Part Of: Postgraduate medical journal. Volume 98:Issue 1161(2022)
• Page Start: e10
• Page End: e10
• Publication Date: 2021-03-09
• Subjects: anxiety disorders -- medical education & training; Medicine -- Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2020-139191
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-5473

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: Junior doctors are exposed to occupational and traumatic stressors, some of which are inherent to medicine. This can result in burnout, mental ill-health and suicide. Within a crossover pilot study comparing personalised, trauma-informed yoga to group-format exercise, qualitative interviews were conducted to understand the experience of junior doctors and whether such interventions were perceived to help manage these stressors. Methods: Twenty-one doctors, 76% female, were order-randomised to consecutive 8-week yoga and exercise programmes. Fifty-two interviews were recorded before and after each programme. Results: Many participants reported being time poor, sleep-affected, frequently stressed and occasionally in physical pain/distress. Major stressor themes were workplace incivility, death/human suffering and shift work with minimal support. Both interventions were acceptable for different reasons. Personalised yoga offered a therapeutic alliance, time to check-in and reduced anxiety/rumination. Group exercise provided energy and social connection. One participant found yoga beneficial following an acute workplace trauma: ' It was really eye opening how much I felt my body just needed to detox … I wouldn't have gone to a group fitness the next day … I just wanted to relax and breathe …We still had a big debrief which was great … (but) I almost felt like … I dealt with it physically and emotionally before going into it (P20) .' Conclusion: Junior doctors found both interventions useful for stress management adjunctive to other organisational programmes though for different and complementary reasons, possibly related to delivery mode. Personalised, trauma-informed yoga provided a confidential therapeutic alliance whereas group exercise offered social connection.