Mental health is a journey: Exploring the psychological well-being of medical interns in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and a pilot support intervention.

Abstract

Medical interns are susceptible to psychological harm; there is significant research evidence that affirms resilience can be beneficial to mitigating psychological distress experienced. Literature related to resilience of healthcare professionals tended to overlook the mental well-being of medical interns during their internship training. It is therefore important to understand how the hospital environment influences the development of resilience in interns. Resilience refers to an individual being able to return to a state of emotional stability after having experienced trauma. Studies suggest the need for supportive interventions being available to healthcare professionals. Interventions are more effective if they are designed to serve the needs of a specific group of healthcare professional. For the purposes of this study, psychological wellbeing (PWB) is encapsulated into components, namely burnout, resilience and mindfulness. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between the PWB, burnout and resilience of medical interns. Interns participated in an eight week online mindfulness course to understand further insight into mindfulness practice and the affect that it can have on their PWB. A mixed-method study design using methodological triangulation was employed. Medical interns at state hospitals from year 1 and year 2, namely from Addington, King Edward VIII , R.K. Khan, Prince Mshiyeni and Wentworth state hospitals in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), were sampled as these hospitals offered a high intake for internship training. The study consisted of three phases; the initial phase consisted of questionnaires, followed by semi-structured interviews and lastly, the appropriateness of an online Mindfulness course. Questionnaires assess the PWB, perceived levels of burnout and resilience of medical interns. Semi-structured interviews explored medical interns’ experiences during their internship training and investigated the psychological support offered and/or utilised by interns. Lastly, the online Mindfulness course for an eight week duration gathered pre-test and post-test data. Information gathered from this study will be used to inform decision-making changes to better the internship experience of interns. The medical fraternity could look into developing a sustainable support structure for interns to have throughout their internship journey. The data for the study was collected online due to the circumstances of the current global pandemic, COVID-19. Mindfulness techniques learnt during internship assists in maintaining a positive PWB, which interns can apply to their medical career thereafter.