Personal-professional Development Program Fosters Resilience During COVID-Pandemic

PROBLEM: Epidemiological data throughout the academic world show an upswing in mental health concerns among students, even more significant during the ongoing COVID-pandemic. Many universities have recognized these problems and started counseling programs. However, currently reported stress levels and mental health problems at many universities remain substantial. APPROACH: Our medical faculty features an evidence informed longitudinal program on personal-professional development (LPPD) integrated into the core curriculum to strengthen wellbeing and support the student as a whole. OUTCOMES: With our LPPD program we show that it is possible to successfully enable personal-professional development and well-being, especially in unexpected times when resilience is needed. The safe learning environment the teacher-coaches created has proven to be an important condition in this regard. NEXT STEPS: The LPPD program will be further evaluated and both results and program materials will be shared with the academic community through web-pages, online material and research papers.