Alleviate General Practitioner Burnout with Mindfulness

 

By John M. de Castro, Ph.D.

 

“Enhancing the already inherent capacity of the physician to experience fully the clinical encounter—not only its pleasant but also its most unpleasant aspects—without judgment but with a sense of curiosity and adventure seems to have had a profound effect on the experience of stress and burnout. It also seems to enhance the physician’s ability to connect with the patient as a unique human being and to center care around that uniqueness.” – Michael Krasner

 

General Practitioners confront stress on a daily basis. Even moderate levels of stress when prolonged, all too frequently results in a professional burnout. This is the fatigue, cynicism, emotional exhaustion, and professional inefficacy that comes with work-related stress. Healthcare is a high stress occupation. It is estimated that over 45% of healthcare workers experience burnout. Currently, over a third of healthcare workers report that they are looking for a new job. Nearly half plan to look for a new job over the next two years and 80% expressed interest in a new position if they came across the right opportunity.

 

Regardless of the reasons for burnout or its immediate presenting consequences, it is a threat to the healthcare providers and their patients. In fact, it is a threat to the entire healthcare system as it contributes to the shortage of doctors and nurses. Hence, preventing existing healthcare workers from burning out has to be a priority. Mindfulness has been demonstrated to be helpful in treating and preventing burnout. One of the premiere techniques for developing mindfulness and dealing effectively with stress is Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) pioneered by Jon Kabat-Zinn. It is a diverse mindfulness training containing practice in meditation, body scan, and yoga. As a result, there have been a number of trials investigating the application of MBSR to the treatment and prevention of health care worker burnout.

 

In today’s Research News article “Mindfulness-based stress reduction for GPs: results of a controlled mixed methods pilot study in Dutch primary care.” See summary below or view the full text of the study at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4723221/

Verweij and colleagues investigated the effectiveness of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in preventing burnout in General Practitioners. They recruited General Practitioners who were required to participate in continuing professional education courses and offered as an option participation in an 8-week MBSR program. They compared GPs who selected the MBSR program during one 8-week period to those who selected a waitlist condition and received the usual continuing professional education course. They completed measures both before and after the treatment of burnout, work engagement, and mindfulness.

 

They found, not surprisingly, that compared to the waitlist controls, the MBSR program resulted in higher levels of mindfulness. But, importantly, it also significantly decreased levels of burnout depersonalization and increased levels of work dedication. During interviews after completion of the program The GPs reported that the MBSR program helped them to become more aware of their bodily sensations, thoughts, and emotions, of their beliefs and values, and a recognition of the autopilot mode they usually engaged in. They also reported that the MBSR program increased their wellbeing and compassion towards themselves and others, including their patients.

 

The findings from this pilot study are very encouraging. They demonstrate that mindfulness training reduces self-reported burnout, and improves professional dedication, recognition of bodily reactions and how activities have become routinized, and general wellbeing. By improving their awareness of the sensations, thoughts, and actions in the present moment mindfulness training appears to be somewhat an antidote to burnout. This suggests that mindfulness practices should be included in the continuing education of healthcare professionals.

 

So, alleviate general practitioner burnout with mindfulness.

 

“Mindfulness gives doctors permission to attend to their own health and well-being. But is also allows doctors to help patients by listening more, talking less and seeing what the patient needs.” – Mary Breach

 

CMCS – Center for Mindfulness and Contemplative Studies

 

This and other Contemplative Studies posts are also available on Google+ https://plus.google.com/106784388191201299496/posts and on Twitter @MindfulResearch

 

Study Summary

Verweij, H., Waumans, R. C., Smeijers, D., Lucassen, P. L., Donders, A. R. T., van der Horst, H. E., & Speckens, A. E. (2016). Mindfulness-based stress reduction for GPs: results of a controlled mixed methods pilot study in Dutch primary care. The British Journal of General Practice, 66(643), e99–e105. http://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp16X683497

 

Abstract

Background

Burnout is highly prevalent in GPs and can have a negative influence on their wellbeing, performance, and patient care. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) may be an effective intervention to decrease burnout symptoms and increase wellbeing.

Aim

To gain insight into the feasibility and effectiveness of MBSR on burnout, empathy, and (work-related) wellbeing in GPs.

Design and setting

A mixed methods pilot study, including a waiting list-controlled pre-/post-study and a qualitative study of the experiences of participating GPs in the Netherlands.

Method

Participants were sent questionnaires assessing burnout, work engagement, empathy, and mindfulness skills, before and at the end of the MBSR training/waiting period. Qualitative data on how GPs experienced the training were collected during a plenary session and with evaluation forms at the end of the course.

Results

Fifty Dutch GPs participated in this study. The MBSR group reported a greater decrease in depersonalisation than the control group (adjusted difference −1.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] = −2.72 to −0.21, P = 0.03). Dedication increased more significantly in the MBSR group than in the control group (adjusted difference 2.17, 95% CI = 0.51 to 3.83, P = 0.01). Mindfulness skills increased significantly in the MBSR group compared with the control group (adjusted difference 6.90, 95% CI = 1.42 to 12.37, P = 0.01). There was no significant change in empathy. The qualitative data indicated that the MBSR course increased their wellbeing and compassion towards themselves and others, including their patients.

Conclusion

The study shows that MBSR for GPs is feasible and might result in fewer burnout symptoms and increased work engagement and wellbeing. However, an adequately powered randomised controlled trial is needed to confirm the study’s findings.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4723221/