Mindfulness in Medicine is a program that offers Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) sessions to rural providers (MD, NP, and midwives). In pausing together, providers can care for one another in ways that activates our personal and collective resilience, which is much needed during this time of great transition in healthcare, the planetary health crises, and deep calls for social justice. This participatory, trauma-sensitive course consists of eight weekly 2.5-hour classes and one day-long class on a Saturday.
I loved that it was virtual. It was an exceptional course. Best I’ve done in the last 3 years with virtual conferences and learning opportunities. I would highly recommend to EVERYONE. I already have been recommending it to everyone.
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction course participant
What are the benefits of the program?
Through practicing mindfulness, we may restore a sense of connection and agency to act in our collective best interest. We mobilize foundational capacities for inhabiting complexity, together.
Other potential benefits include:
- Mitigating symptoms of exhaustion & isolation
- Recognizing and responding differently to internal biases
- Better tolerating uncertainty, change and complexity
- Perceiving self & others with more clarity & compassion
- Improving communication and decision-making skills
- Accessing personal creativity and adaptability
I notice that now I handle situations better. I’m calmer. I feel less anxious. I’m on a 1/3 of the dose of my anti anxiety pills and I feel great. I interact with my family members better – the way I want to be, not angered or short tempered. I sleep better.
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction course participant
Program Details
RCCbc is supporting 1-2 MBSR virtual programs per year for rural providers (MD, NP and midwives). We are currently accepting registrations for the Fall 2023 session. See the details below:
8 Weekly Sessions and Day-Long Retreat:
Dates: The weekly class will begin Wed, September 20th and run until November 8th, 2023 at 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM. The all-day class is on Saturday, October 28th at 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM.
Cost: The program is free for providers (MD, NP, midwives) through support from RCCbc.
Location: Online Zoom
Registration: Fill out this form to confirm interest
Registration will be confirmed by email.
Attending all classes and committing to regular practice will ensure full benefit to the program. Missing 1-2 classes is work-able if necessary.
Following completion of this program, providers are welcome to join a provincial community of practice that meets monthly.
Mindfulness in Medicine will continue offering one or two eight-week programs per year. One 2024 cohort will be for rural BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Colour) healthcare providers, in recognition of the unique challenges they may be facing.
About the Facilitator
Dr. Rahul Gupta is a settler born on the lands of the Anishinaabe people and now lives and works on the ancestral and unceded lands of the Shishalh and Squamish People. He works as an integrative medical physician, professional coach, mindfulness instructor, and advocate for provider wellness. He also is a Somatic Experiencing (SE) Practitioner and integrates trauma-sensitive approaches into all of his trainings. He has over 18 years experience of supporting physicians and healthcare teams in cultivating compassionate self & situational awareness.
Walk Slowly
It only takes a reminder to breathe,
a moment to be still and just like that,
something in me settles, softens,
makes space for imperfection. The harsh
voice of judgment drops to a whisper
and I remember again that life isn’t a relay race;
that we will all cross the finish line;
that waking up to life is what we were born for.
As many times as I forget, catch myself charging forward
without even knowing where I am going,
that many times I can make the choice
to stop, to breathe, to be and walk
slowly into the mystery.
Dana Foulds
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