Burnout is an alarming problem affecting clinicians throughout many fields, including hospice and palliative care. Research suggests that comprehensive mindfulness training may correlate with improvements in emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a sense of accomplishment.

Mindfulness definition
"Paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally, to the disclosing of experience moment to moment”.
Mindfulness is an attentive state of awareness of one’s present and changing emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations.

Supportive evidence
Promotion mindfulness may benefit patients, trainees, physicians and nurses: better patient satisfaction scores, reduction in self-reported psychological distress, improvements in emotional exhaustion, self-compassion, and a sense of personal accomplishment.

Mindfulness educational programs have outcomes data to support their effectiveness: significant and long-lasting improvements in emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, empathy, emotional stability, and self-reported mood.

Health personnel can be taught to employ simple mindfulness exercises effectively. (A) There are websites and mobile applications that help to teach and promote mindfulness, and (B) many mindfulness stress reduction programs are available and provided through local mental health services, universities, and employer health benefit programs.

Stress and burnout are significant concerns within the healthcare community. Mindfulness activities made simple to learn and easy to access may mitigate the effects of burnout.

See reference for more information.

Adapted from Kerr N. Mindfulness self-care strategies for clinicians. Palliative Care Network of Wisconsin. Fast facts and concepts #316. Internet. Accessed on January 25, 2019.