Reducing Physician Stress through Mindful Meditation and Shared Discussions Improves Work Well-being

Reducing Physician Stress through Mindful Meditation and Shared Discussions Improves Work Well-being

In a groundbreaking study and training programme, researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center have found that training in mindfulness meditation and communication can significantly alleviate the psychological distress and burnout experienced by many physicians. The findings were reported in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

The programme, which was funded by the Boston-based Physicians Foundation for Health System Excellence and sponsored by the New York Chapter of the American College of Physicians, involved 70 physicians from the Rochester, N.Y., area.

Mindfulness meditation, a practice that increases one's awareness of thoughts, feelings, and sensations, can help physicians become more aware of how they are feeling, how events in their own lives might be influencing how they react to patients, and how they can better recognize the meaning and satisfaction derived from the practice of medicine.

Cultivating mindful communication with colleagues can combat the practitioner's sense of isolation, while enhancing the physician's ability to connect with the patient as a unique human being and to center care around that uniqueness. Mindful communication utilizes the techniques of meditation to help people maintain an open and non-judgmental outlook as they tackle everyday tasks.

The training also includes the use of narrative medicine, real stories from the clinician's practice of medicine. This approach provides a framework and vocabulary to remain in the moment and diminish interferences in the therapeutic relationship.

The participating primary care physicians experienced improved well-being, including significant decreases in burnout and mood disturbance. The training provided a means to manage the high demands and emotional stress of their work, improve focus and attention regulation, and better cope with anxiety and symptoms related to mental health disorders.

John K. Chamberlain, M.D., an internist and pediatrician in the Rochester area, found the training refreshing and satisfying. The most salient element of the training, according to Chamberlain, was the collegial effect of experienced physicians reflecting on mutual experiences.

Michael S. Krasner, M.D., associate professor of Clinical Medicine, led the researchers. The training consisted of eight intensive weekly sessions, an all-day session, and a maintenance phase of 10 monthly sessions.

The authors of the JAMA article include Ronald Epstein, Timothy Quill, Howard Beckman, Anthony Suchman, Benjamin Chapman, Christopher Mooney, and Michael S. Krasner. They also experienced positive changes in empathy and psychosocial orientation to clinical care.

Edward A. Stehlik, M.D., an internist who practices near Buffalo, stated that the training was "the most useful thing I've done since my medical training to help me in my practice of medicine."

Primary care physicians report high levels of distress, and as many as 60 percent of practicing physicians report symptoms of burnout. The study's findings suggest that mindfulness meditation and communication training represent a model of medical education that may help provide growth and sustenance to physicians, ultimately improving the quality of care they provide to their patients.

1. This medical education program, focused on mindfulness meditation and communication, aims to reduce psychological distress and burnout in physicians.
2. The study, published in JAMA, involved 70 physicians from the Rochester, NY area, funded by the Physicians Foundation for Health System Excellence.
3. Mindfulness meditation, a practice that heightens awareness, can help physicians understand their feelings and how personal life events may influence patient interactions.
4. By cultivating mindful communication with colleagues, physicians can combat feelings of isolation and enhance their ability to connect with patients as unique individuals.
5. Narrative medicine, a part of the training, uses real stories from medical practice to foster a moment-by-moment approach and diminish interferences in the therapeutic relationship.
6. The training led to improved well-being for the participating primary care physicians, including decreases in burnout and mood disturbance.
7. Therapies and treatments such as mindfulness meditation and communication training may offer a model of medical education to support physician growth and improve patient care.
8. Chronic kidney disease, COPD, type 2 diabetes, and cancer are just a few examples of medical-conditions that mindful physicians can better manage with improved focus, attention regulation, and anxiety coping skills.
9. Workplace-wellness programs that incorporate science-backed mindfulness techniques and therapies can have a significant impact on employee well-being, including chronic diseases management.
10. In the realm of health and wellness, fitness and exercise, mental health, and eye, hearing, and digestive health, mindfulness meditation and communication training can offer valuable tools for self-awareness and patient care.
11. As with physician training, therapies and treatments can benefit individuals dealing with various conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease, autoimmune disorders, and neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis and migraines.
12. Studies have shown that CBD may help manage chronic conditions like chronic kidney disease, COPD, and certain types of cancers, in addition to its potential use for mental health disorders.
13. In terms of education and self-development, personal growth, and mindfulness, learning about various therapies and treatments can lead to better goal-setting, productivity, and career development.
14. Online education platforms offer opportunities for lifelong learning and skills training in medical education, workplace-wellness, and various aspects of health and wellness, including fitness and exercise, mental health, and various medical-conditions.
15. Job-search resources can help individuals find positions in medical education, workplace-wellness, and health and wellness sectors that prioritize mindfulness, communication, and therapeutic care.
16. Researchers in these fields can collaborate to advance science, improve medical education, and develop new therapies and treatments for chronic diseases, mental health disorders, and other medical-conditions.
17. Policymakers and institutions can support advancing medical education by investing in evidence-based mindfulness programs, online education, and research efforts in health and wellness, therapies, and treatments.
18. Beyond healthcare settings, mindfulness meditation and communication training can be useful in improving the well-being of individuals in various workplace settings, helping to manage stress and promote employee engagement.
19. As more evidence emerges about the benefits of mindfulness and other wellness practices, the stigma surrounding self-care and mental health treatment is beginning to dissipate, paving the way for more inclusive and supportive workplaces.
20. In the realm of both medical education and personal growth, mindfulness meditation and communication training can serve as a lifelong practice, providing renewed focus, self-awareness, and better care for oneself and others.

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