Impact Weeks Foster Wellness, Collaboration in Medical Education

The Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine takes innovative approach to preventing burnout

In medical education, where the pressure cooker environment can lead to burnout and mental health challenges, the Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine at Belmont University is taking an innovative approach with its Impact Weeks –– dedicated periods between academic blocks that prioritize wellness, community engagement and interprofessional collaboration. 

"We wanted to ensure a focus on the overall self-care and wellness of our medical students, because we understand that suicidal ideation is very high within medical school," said Dr. Alex Atkinson, director of student activities and wellness programs at the College of Medicine. 

Unlike many medical schools that offer simple breaks between academic blocks, Impact Weeks provide structured activities designed to help students process their experiences and prepare for transitions ahead. The three-day programs include wellness retreats, community service projects and interprofessional training sessions. 

First-year medical student Caitlyn Luce said the format offers a welcome alternative to traditional medical education.  

"From what I've heard from friends at other schools, they never experience anything like this," she said. "While there are always opportunities to seek out community service, it's usually limited to pop-up clinics and very medical-focused activities." 

While some students might prefer completely unstructured break time, Luce appreciates the intentional programming. "It's a chance to breathe and just be present," she said. "Instead of frantically trying to catch up or getting ahead, we can actually absorb what we're learning and remember why we're here." 

The wellness component includes activities ranging from therapy dog visits to group discussions about maintaining relationships while in medical school. At a recent retreat, students participated in activities like axe throwing and zip lining alongside serious conversations about physician mental health and substance abuse prevention. 

"Students don't always recognize what they need for self-care," Atkinson said. "We have to be proactive and intentional about creating these moments, because we know they might not prioritize it on their own." 

The program also emphasizes interprofessional education, bringing together Belmont students from across health care disciplines. "It's fascinating to see how different health care professionals approach patient care," Luce said. "In our simulations, other disciplines often notice details that wouldn't have crossed my mind as a medical student." 

This early exposure to collaborative health care is crucial for developing well-rounded medical professionals. By working alongside nursing, occupational therapy and physical therapy students during their education, future physicians learn to value and understand the vital roles each discipline plays in patient care. 

As a new medical school, the Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine actively seeks student feedback to refine the Impact Week program. This responsiveness to student needs has already led to practical changes, such as adjusting the scheduling of anatomy labs based on student input. 

"We're working to ensure our students develop healthy self-care practices early," Atkinson said. "Without these foundational habits, health care professionals often develop problematic coping mechanisms that can impact them psychologically and professionally once they enter residency and practice." 

For Luce, the program's value lies in its ability to help students maintain perspective amid the demanding medical school curriculum.  

"It's easy to get consumed by exam preparation and academic pressure," she said. "These weeks help us pause and remember why we chose this path, why we dreamed of being here and what truly matters in becoming a good physician."