Online training for self-compassion in medical students

Online Mindful Self-Compassion Training for Medical Students: an Exploratory Feasibility Study

Not applicable Interventional University of Toronto · NCT06538597

This study is testing an online course to help medical students learn self-compassion and see if it can reduce burnout and improve their emotional well-being.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment45 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Toronto Academic / other
Locations1 site (Toronto, Ontario)
Trial IDNCT06538597 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to explore the feasibility of an online Self-Compassion for Healthcare Communities course for medical students. It will assess recruitment, adherence, retention, and follow-up processes while gathering participants' experiences with the intervention. The study will also evaluate changes in burnout, compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, self-compassion, empathy, mindfulness, perceived stress, and emotional regulation over a 6-week period. Participants will complete questionnaires before and after the course to measure these outcomes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are first or second-year MD or MD/PhD students at the University of Toronto who are over 18 and fluent in English.

Not a fit: Patients who have completed a mindful self-compassion course or similar mindfulness-based intervention in the past 12 months may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could enhance the mental well-being and emotional resilience of medical students.

How similar studies have performed: While this approach is relatively novel, previous studies have indicated that mindfulness and self-compassion interventions can be beneficial in healthcare settings.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Enrolled in first or second-year of the MD or MD/PhD program at the University of Toronto,
2. Over 18 years of age,
3. Able to speak, read, and write in English,
4. Willing to take part in the SCHC course for up to the full 6-week duration,
5. Willing to complete all study related questionnaires

Exclusion Criteria:

1\. Those already having completed a mindful self-compassion course or Mindfulness based-intervention (Mindfulness-based stress reduction or Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy) within the past 12 months.

Where this trial is running

Toronto, Ontario

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Self-Compassion
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.