Introducing Mindful Pause Practice in Sonography Education: A Strategy to Improve Classroom Presence

Abstract

Objective: The practice of mindfulness has many reported benefits. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to investigate the effect of a three-minute, instructor-led Mindful Pause Practice (MPP) in the sonography classroom over a two-semester period. Methods: Participants were students enrolled in programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs from four universities. Instructors provided MPP, and then students completed the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale. Results: A statistically significant increase in mindfulness as was seen from pre- to poststudy (3.3 vs. 3.9, P < .001). The majority of students described the MPP as a positive experience (>70%) and reported improved classroom attention and awareness (>78%). Qualitative themes of stress reduction/relaxation, improved focus/attention, and self-care were noted each semester. Self-directed MPP outside the classroom was low but did improve over time. Conclusion: The addition of a short MPP to sonography classes has positive benefits and improves student mindfulness. These findings support current literature on classroom mindfulness and add information specific to sonography education.

Quality Improvement Initiatives in Sonography Education: A Review of the Literature

“…This literature review is concentrated on educational quality improvement and the majority of manuscripts addressed clinical and/or lab education. 13–22 Seven research studies highlighted didactic improvements 23–29 and two articles discussed education in general. 10,30 In comparison, articles on accreditation 30 and credentialing 10,29 were sparse.…”

“…Five articles discussed multiple sonography specialties 14,15,17,20,29 and eight articles were on sonography, in general. 10,19,21,23,26–28,30…”

“…Eighteen of the articles were published between 2010 and 2020, 10,13–29 with 13 of these published in the last 5 years. 10,15–17,19–22,24,26–29 The remaining article, and the sole one focused on accreditation, was published in 2001. 30 Of note, 16 articles were published in the same journal, the Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography .…”

“…30 Of note, 16 articles were published in the same journal, the Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography . 10,13,14,17–29 The remaining manuscripts include two dissertations 15,16 and one article published in the Canadian Journal of Medical Radiation Technology . 30…”

“…As seen in Figure 1, the 19 manuscripts included in this review are comprised of 15 research studies, 13–22,24,26,27,29,30 3 literature reviews, 23,25,28 and 1 symposia article. 10 Of the research studies, seven utilized mixed-methods, 16,17,20,22,24,26,27 five included quantitative analyses, 13,14,18,19,29 and three used qualitative techniques. 15,21,30…”