Mindfulness instruction for community-hospital physicians for burnout and patient care: A pilot study

Background: Concern for the high prevalence and pervasive negative effects of clinician burnout has led to greater focus on clinician wellness programs, such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Our goal was to study MBSR feasibility and potential impact on clinician burnout, clinician–patient communication, and patient care and safety at a community hospital. Methods: An eight-week MBSR program was offered for voluntary participation to clinicians at a community hospital. Pre–post surveys used validated scales and open-ended questions to assess participants’ levels of burnout, stress, mindfulness, communication behaviors, and perceived patient care and safety. T-tests were used to compare pre–post-program scale differences, and qualitative analysis identified themes from open-ended survey items. Results: A total of 26 clinicians participated. Pre–post ratings showed significant improvements in personal burnout (p <.001), client-related burnout (p =.02), perceived stress (p <.001), and mindfulness (p =.01). Nearly all, 84% reported an improvement in self-care, 68% reported improved patient care, 50% reported improved patient communication, and 29% reported an increase in quality and safety of patient care. Qualitative analysis showed three themes of improvement in: emotional availability of the clinician, shared decision making and partnership with patients, and job satisfaction. Conclusion: MBSR in a community hospital was feasible and suggests benefits related to reducing stress and burnout, as well as perceived improvement in clinician’s quality and safety of patient care. Given the serious negative effects of clinician burnout on patients, physicians, and the workplace, implementation of MBSR programs for clinicians should be considered.