Pal, AMukhopadhyay, PDawar, Pal N.2023-06-172023-06-172023-05Pal A, Mukhopadhyay P, Dawar Pal N.. Program to Enhance Well-being and Psychospiritual Understanding Implications in Indian Medical Care Perspective. Journal of the Association of Physicians of India. 2023 May; 71(5): 24-280004 – 5772http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/216403Background: Spirituality is an important dimension of life. The medical practitioner’s well-being is an under-appreciated priority in India. As research on spirituality is minimal, this study attempts to introduce an online 6-week Eastern spirituality-based educational program for physicians. The primary aim was to see the effects of the intervention on the well-being of the participants. The secondary aim was to form an opinion about an extension to medical practice. Materials and methods: A total of 60 medical practitioners were randomized into two groups— one attended the spirituality sessions while the other placebo “self-care” sessions. Quantitative outcome measures were Warwick-Edinburg Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) and World Health Organization (WHO) Well-being Index (WHO-5) noted pre and postprogram. Qualitative data was collected to support the quantitative outcomes. Statistical tests used were unpaired and paired t-tests for quantitative data. A 5-point Likert scale and Cochran’s Q test were used for the qualitative data. Results: In the spirituality group, postsession WEMWBS and WHO-5 scores improved with p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0033, respectively. Regarding qualitative data, 94.44% of physicians “agreed/strongly agreed” in favor of the benefits of sessions with p = 0.0242 and Q = 5.0793. A total of 86.67% of physicians felt the sessions have helped them to understand other’s spirituality-related problems and made them more confident to discuss spirituality with others. Conclusion: The online Eastern spirituality program had a positive impact on the well-being of Indian medical practitioners. There appears to be a potential for extension to the medical care setting. The results need to be substantiated by further studies.Journal ArticleIndiaConsultant, Vivekananda Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS)Assistant Superintendent, Kalyani ESI HospitalConsultant, Sankara Netralaya, Kolkata, West Bengal, India