mindfulness-based stress reduction (mbsr) has been shown to have positive effects on premedical and medical students. the study examined the short-term effects of an 8-week meditation-based stress reduction intervention on these students. the findings indicated that participation in the intervention can effectively reduce self-reported state and trait anxiety, reduce reports of overall psychological distress including depression, increase scores on overall empathy levels, and increase scores on a measure of spiritual experiences. these results replicated in a wait-list control group, held across different experiments, and were observed during the exam period. future research should address potential long-term effects of mindfulness training for medical and premedical students. the study aimed to assess the efficacy of a short-term mindfulness-based intervention to decrease overall negative psychological symptoms, including anxiety and depression, potentially enhance the doctor-patient relationship through the cultivation of empathy, and foster spiritual growth and understanding. stress has been shown to have deleterious effects on one's physical and mental well-being. the extreme stress levels inherent in the medical profession put premedical and medical students at risk for both physical and psychological problems. potential consequences of stress on medical students' lives include alcohol/drug abuse, interpersonal relationship difficulties, depression and anxiety, and suicide. stress may affect not only medical students' personal well-being but may also have negative consequences on their professional effectiveness by diminishing the humanistic qualities fundamental to optimal patient care. empathy, defined as the capacity to understand, be sensitive to, and feel what another is feeling, and the ability to communicate this sensitivity to the person, is a crucial element of the doctor-patient relationship. however, rather than helping students cultivate empathy, medical school may play a role in decreasing it.mindfulness-based stress reduction (mbsr) has been shown to have positive effects on premedical and medical students. the study examined the short-term effects of an 8-week meditation-based stress reduction intervention on these students. the findings indicated that participation in the intervention can effectively reduce self-reported state and trait anxiety, reduce reports of overall psychological distress including depression, increase scores on overall empathy levels, and increase scores on a measure of spiritual experiences. these results replicated in a wait-list control group, held across different experiments, and were observed during the exam period. future research should address potential long-term effects of mindfulness training for medical and premedical students. the study aimed to assess the efficacy of a short-term mindfulness-based intervention to decrease overall negative psychological symptoms, including anxiety and depression, potentially enhance the doctor-patient relationship through the cultivation of empathy, and foster spiritual growth and understanding. stress has been shown to have deleterious effects on one's physical and mental well-being. the extreme stress levels inherent in the medical profession put premedical and medical students at risk for both physical and psychological problems. potential consequences of stress on medical students' lives include alcohol/drug abuse, interpersonal relationship difficulties, depression and anxiety, and suicide. stress may affect not only medical students' personal well-being but may also have negative consequences on their professional effectiveness by diminishing the humanistic qualities fundamental to optimal patient care. empathy, defined as the capacity to understand, be sensitive to, and feel what another is feeling, and the ability to communicate this sensitivity to the person, is a crucial element of the doctor-patient relationship. however, rather than helping students cultivate empathy, medical school may play a role in decreasing it.