Compassion Meditation Training for Hospital Chaplain Residents: A Pilot Study.
Marcia J Ash, Elizabeth Reisinger Walker, Ralph J DiClemente, Marianne P Florian, Patricia K Palmer, Kathryn Wehrmeyer, Lobsang Tenzin Negi, George H. Grant, Charles L. Raison, Jennifer S Mascaro
Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy January 1, 2021 DOI: 10.1080/08854726.2020.1723189 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractIncorporating compassion meditation training into clinical pastoral education reduces burnout and anxiety among hospital chaplain residents, but the benefits may not last without ongoing practice. In a small study, 15 chaplain residents were assigned either to Cognitively-Based Compassion Training (CBCT) or a waitlist. Those who received CBCT reported significant decreases in burnout and anxiety compared to the waitlist group, though these effects were not maintained at a 4-month follow-up. Compassion satisfaction did not differ significantly but trended in the expected direction. The findings suggest that extending CBCT throughout residency could help sustain wellbeing improvements.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Longitudinal, quasi-experimental design Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 15 |
| Population | Hospital chaplain residents |
| Intervention | Cognitively-Based Compassion Training (CBCT) |
| Duration | 4-month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Burnout Compassion satisfaction Pastoral education Secondary trauma stress |
| Key finding | Compassion meditation training (CBCT) incorporated into clinical pastoral education significantly reduced burnout and anxiety among chaplain residents, but effects were not maintained at 4-month follow-up. |
Abstract
This study examines the effectiveness of incorporating compassion meditation training into a clinical pastoral education (CPE) curriculum to enhance compassion satisfaction and reduce burnout among hospital chaplain residents. Specifically, a longitudinal, quasi-experimental design was used to examine the impact of Cognitively-Based Compassion Training (CBCT), a group-delivered compassion meditation intervention. Hospital chaplain residents (n = 15) were assigned to participate in a CBCT intervention or a waitlist comparison group. Chaplains assigned to CBCT reported significant decreases in burnout and anxiety compared to the waitlist group; effects were not maintained at 4-month follow-up. Other outcomes, including compassion satisfaction, did not differ significantly but were trending in the expected direction. Findings suggest that compassion meditation training incorporated into CPE promotes chaplain wellbeing, although it may be necessary to extend CBCT throughout residency to sustain effects.