Brief mindfulness-based intervention to improve clinician mindful behaviours and well-being at two US hospitals: a randomised controlled, mixed methods trial
BMJ Quality & Safety June 25, 2026 M. Todd Greene, Nathan Houchens, Virginia Sheffield et al.
Embedding mindfulness practice into routine hand hygiene moments improved clinicians' mindful awareness but did not significantly improve well-being. In a randomized controlled trial at two Veterans Affairs academic medical centers, 343 physicians and nurses who engaged with the intervention showed significant increases in mindfulness scores at one month and seven months compared to controls. Well-being scores showed only modest, non-significant trends toward reduced distress. Qualitative findings indicated high acceptability and perceived benefits such as enhanced focus and calm, though time pressures and cultural barriers hindered sustained practice. Microinterventions that integrate mindfulness into clinical workflows may offer scalable approaches to support clinician presence and mental resilience.