Scientific Publications

Training for the Future NHS

Medical training is intense, and stress can take a real toll on future doctors. We tested a 5-week programme called Enhanced Stress-Resilience Training (ESRT) with graduate-entry medical students to see whether it could give them better tools to cope.

It worked. Students who took part showed strong improvements in psychological flexibility (the skill that helps people stay grounded, adapt to stress, and make healthier choices). For students who started out with lower resilience, the benefits were even greater. They became more resilient and less reactive to stress, and these gains were still present six months later.

Students also told us they found the programme surprisingly practical and wanted it woven into the medical curriculum.

In short, a small dose of the right training can make a big difference in the wellbeing and resilience of tomorrow’s clinicians.

Improving Student Wellbeing

University life can feel overwhelming, and many wellbeing programmes only scratch the surface. In our recent study, we designed and tested a new positive psychology course that looks at wellbeing from a broader perspective, spanning personal growth, community, and even our connection to the planet.

Over five academic years and more than 300 students, we found that those who took the module experienced meaningful boosts in wellbeing compared to students who didn’t. What’s really exciting is why. Students who reported feeling more connected to something bigger than themselves (a sense of meaning, purpose, or self-transcendence) also showed significant gains.

The research suggests that wellbeing education in universities can be more than stress management. It can help students feel grounded, connected, and better prepared for a rapidly changing world.