Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction as a Whole-System Approach to Health Care Delivery: Brief Report from a Pilot Training Program Developed for Clinicians

Study at a glance

Characteristics	Open trial (pre-post program evaluation) Peer reviewed
Sample size	5
Population	Health care providers: four primary care physicians and one social worker at a large non-profit community health care system
Intervention	Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
Duration	Six weekly two-hour group sessions
Measures	Perceived Stress Scale (10-item version), Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, four program satisfaction rating items
Topics	Meditation
Citations	1
Key findings	All five clinicians reported satisfaction with the abbreviated MBSR program and measurable reductions in perceived stress and personal burnout, with statistically significant group-level reductions on the Perceived Stress Scale and Copenhagen Burnout Inventory. The authors propose that abbreviated MBSR for clinicians may reduce stress and prevent burnout, but call for further research on specific protocols.

Abstract

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is an evidence-based health education program for medical patients with a variety of chronic conditions. MBSR also benefits health care providers themselves, decreasing work-related stress and preventing burnout. The objectives of this study were to describe an abbreviated MBSR curriculum developed for health care providers and to present initial program evaluation data assessing acceptability and outcomes. This program was implemented outside the research context with an open trial design. Mindfulness training sessions were held in a conference room at the administrative offices of a large, non-profit community health care system. Five clinic providers, three male and two female, included four primary care physicians and one social worker. All five participants participated in and completed the training. A six-session abbreviated MBSR protocol was developed. Participants attended weekly two-hour group sessions scheduled at the end of the workday. Standardized self-report questionnaires included the Perceived Stress Scale (10-item version) and the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory. Participants also completed four rating items designed to assess their personal satisfaction with the program. All five clinicians reported satisfaction with the program and measurable reductions in perceived stress and personal burnout. Statistically significant reductions in perceived stress and personal burnout scores across the group also were found. Abbreviated MBSR programs for clinicians may support clinician welfare by reducing stress and preventing burnout, ultimately impacting the larger health care delivery system in health-promoting ways. Research examining the effectiveness of specific protocols for clinicians is needed to support further dissemination and implementation.

Comparable studies

Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.

Study	Year	Design	Participants
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients	2003	Pre-post intervention study	n = 59
Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample	2010	Pre-post intervention study
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students	2003	Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study	n = 302
Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls	2011	Controlled trial with wait-list control group	n = 60
The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents	2011	Within-group waitlist controlled trial	n = 22

Study at a glance

Abstract

Comparable studies

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