This session will briefly review the problem of healthcare provider stress, high rates of burnout, and describe high-level multi-pronged interventions to address these critical issues. The session will focus on highlighting two successful programs currently underway at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Medicine that constitute a preventive and educational approach to fostering well-being. One is the course in mind-body medicine, modeled after the program at Georgetown University School of Medicine, which is now underway in 7 of our 13 Colleges at UC. This effort is aimed at advancing student wellness and resilience by teaching students mind-body skills in supportive group formats that are facilitated by trained faculty. The second program to be described is the Turner Farm Student Wellness retreats, where inter-professional groups of healthcare students are exposed to concepts such as Food as Medicine, Mindfulness for Stress Reduction, and a hands-on teaching kitchen experience at a weekend retreat. Both program presentations will include information on development, outcomes, and sustainability plans to enable faculty and administrators at other schools to consider implementing or adapting.
Integrating Wellness & Nutrition – Lessons from University of Cincinnati
Seminar Downloads
Sian Cotton, PhD, is a Professor in the Departments of Family and Community Medicine and the Founding Director of the UC Center for Integrative Health and Wellness (CIHW) and UC Health Integrative Medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. As a clinical health psychologist, Dr. Cotton has worked with children, adolescents and adults with a variety of medical and psychiatric conditions. In 2007, she was awarded a K23 career development award by the National Institutes of Health to examine the role of spiritual coping and health-related quality of life in adolescents with a chronic illness. Dr. Cotton’s research focuses primarily on mindfulness based interventions for improving wellness and integrative medicine practice-based research. The CIHW is a member of the international Teaching Kitchen Collaborative in collaboration with Turner Farm’s teaching kitchen, where Dr. Cotton conducts student and community wellness educational programs. She speaks regularly with community organizations, healthcare audiences, and academic groups about mind-body medicine for stress reduction, and preventive and wellness-based approaches to healthcare. Dr Cotton currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Academic Consortium of Integrative Medicine and Health.