Exploring patient experiences with a mindfulness course in a general practice setting: a qualitative study.
BMC primary care October 7, 2025 Julie Kroupa Dupont, Frans Boch Waldorff, Anette Hauskov Graungaard
Patients referred by their general practitioners to a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) course reported improved emotion regulation, present-moment awareness, and coping strategies. Ten participants aged 44 to 75 from a Danish general practice completed a six-to-eight-week program with weekly sessions of 1.5 to 2.5 hours and daily home practice of about 45 minutes. Thematic analysis of qualitative interviews revealed three themes: reasons for participation (stress-related symptoms and trust in the general practitioner), outcomes (greater emotional control, acceptance, and self-awareness), and integration of mindfulness into daily life (using breathing techniques). Patients held a positive attitude toward mindfulness as part of stress treatment in general practice, supported by trusting doctor-patient relationships. However, mindfulness is not available within Denmark's free healthcare system, limiting access for vulnerable groups.