A continuing education course based on mindfulness-based stress reduction was associated with significant improvements in burnout and mental well-being among 93 healthcare providers, including physicians, nurses, psychologists, and social workers. The course met 2.5 hours weekly for 8 weeks plus a 7-hour retreat and included body scan, mindful movement, walking meditation, and sitting meditation. Emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment scores on the Maslach Burnout Inventory all improved significantly. Mental well-being measured by the SF-12v2 also improved significantly, while physical health scores showed no significant change.
Spiritual transformation (ST) occurs in a sizable proportion of people with HIV and is generally positive and enduring. In a qualitative study of two samples—people with chronic HIV disease (n=74) and self-identified spiritual people with HIV (n=73)—ST occurred in 39% and 75% respectively. Transformations were 95% positive and lasted an average of 8.71 years. ST most often followed a spiritual experience (especially near-death experience), substance-use recovery, or an HIV/AIDS diagnosis. Common antecedents included substance-use disorder, education/upbringing, and desire to change.