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Evaluation of a Pilot Wellness Elective for Master of Public Health Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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  • Blaise Y. O’Malley

    (The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
    Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA)

  • Edgard Etoundi-Ngono

    (The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, NH 03755, USA)

  • Jianjun Hua

    (Department of Dartmouth Information, Technology and Consulting, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, NH 03755, USA)

  • Joseph P. Nano

    (The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, NH 03755, USA)

  • Catherine F. Pipas

    (The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, NH 03755, USA)

Abstract

Background: Graduate student wellbeing is a public health issue in the United States. The COVID-19 outbreak exacerbated the mental health burden on graduate students worldwide. Culture of Wellness (PH 104) is a 2-week wellbeing elective course that teaches evidence-based wellbeing strategies for graduate students at a university in the United States. Our study aimed to evaluate the impact of this pilot wellbeing elective on Master of Public Health students’ mental health and wellness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Participants included 22 Master of Public Health students from the class of 2021 at a university in the United States. We provided a pre-course survey to students that assessed their perception of their own personal wellbeing, their knowledge about various wellbeing strategies, and their confidence in applying 13 wellbeing strategies before taking the course. Post-course students completed the same survey following course completion, as well as a matching evaluation and a five-month follow up survey. Results: Of the 13 strategies taught, students reported significant improvements in their ability to apply 10 strategies. There was a significant increase in self-reported emotional and physical wellbeing, as well as a significant decrease in burnout. Five months post-course, more than three quarters of respondents used strategies taught in the course on a weekly basis or more. Limitations: This pilot study is limited by its small sample size, which may restrict the generalizability of the findings. Conclusions: The PH 104 Culture of Wellness course was effective in improving graduate students’ wellbeing and confidence in applying wellbeing strategies

Suggested Citation

  • Blaise Y. O’Malley & Edgard Etoundi-Ngono & Jianjun Hua & Joseph P. Nano & Catherine F. Pipas, 2024. "Evaluation of a Pilot Wellness Elective for Master of Public Health Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(5), pages 1-12, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:5:p:590-:d:1388294
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chris Woolston, 2020. "Signs of depression and anxiety soar among US graduate students during pandemic," Nature, Nature, vol. 585(7823), pages 147-148, September.
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