Mobile meditation for improving quality of life, anxiety and depression among surgical residents and faculty.

BACKGROUND: Burnout, anxiety and depression are commonly reported among surgical residents and faculty members. Resident training programmes are encouraged to implement structured wellness initiatives, to address emotional stress. METHODS: Thirty otolaryngology residents and faculty members were invited to participate in this prospective pilot trial. Participants were randomised to either the intervention group, which involved completing 10 mobile meditation sessions, or the control group. Outcomes were measured with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale-7, Patient Health Questionnaire and Professional Quality of Life scale. RESULTS: Nineteen participants completed the study. Participants in the intervention group had a significantly greater mean change in Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale-7 score (-2.7 ± 3.335 vs 0.33 ± 1.225; p = 0.04). There was no significant difference in average change in Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scores or Professional Quality of Life scale sub-scores between the intervention and control groups. CONCLUSION: Short meditation sessions can significantly improve anxiety in surgical residents and faculty members, and they offer a simple, attainable and effective wellness intervention.

An evaluation of a pharmacy based aminoglycoside monitoring service.

The impact of a pharmacy based aminoglycoside serum concentration monitoring service is reported. Physician responses to serum concentrations were assessed before and after the introduction of the service and the results compared. Eighty-four percent of recommendations made by pharmacists to physicians were totally accepted and the response to serum concentrations significantly improved after the introduction of the clinical pharmacokinetic service. Such a service provides a valuable function and is well accepted by the physicians.