Brief Video-Module Administered Mindfulness Program for Physicians: A Pilot Study.
Bethann Mangel Pflugeisen, Dike Drummond, Drew Ebersole, Kate Mundell, David Chen
Explore 2016 DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2015.10.005 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Single-sample, pre-post pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 23 |
| Population | Physicians in a suburban community hospital setting |
| Interventions | weekly online video-module trainings weekly teleconference coaching calls journals |
| Duration | Eight-week program with eight-week post-intervention follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Burnout Physician Stress Webcasts |
| Key points | The authors report that an eight-week video-module-based mindfulness program was associated with significant decreases in stress, emotional exhaustion, and personal accomplishment at program end and eight weeks later, and significant increases in all mindfulness skills at program end, with several increases persisting at follow-up. They present this as preliminary evidence that such a flexible program can reduce stress, improve well-being, and develop lasting mindfulness skills in physicians. |
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of implementing a video-module-based mindfulness pilot program intended to reduce stress, improve well-being, and develop mindfulness skills in physicians in a community hospital setting. Preliminary findings are presented. Using a single-sample, pre-post study design, we administered an eight-week mindfulness training offered as part of a wellness initiative for medical staff in a suburban community hospital. Participants enrolled on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants engaged in three 90-min in-person trainings, weekly online video-module trainings, and weekly teleconference coaching calls. Video-module trainings were available at all times, to be accessed at the participants׳ convenience. Journals and a guided meditation audio library were also provided. Physician stress, well-being (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization of patients, and sense of personal accomplishment), and mindfulness skills (observing, describing, acting with awareness, and accepting without judgment) were evaluated at baseline, end-of-program, and eight weeks post-intervention using well-validated instruments. A total of 23 physicians enrolled and 19 completed the program. Compared to baseline, statistically significant decreases in stress, personal accomplishment, and emotional exhaustion were observed at end-of-program and eight weeks post-intervention (all P < .05). Significant increases in all mindfulness skills were observed at end-of-program; these increases persisted for describing, acting with awareness, and accepting without judgment at eight weeks post-intervention (all P < .05). This study provides preliminary evidence that a flexible, video-module-based mindfulness program can decrease stress, increase well-being, and develop lasting mindfulness skills in physicians.
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 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 16
- The impact of mindfulness on well-being and performance in the workplace: an inclusive systematic review of the empirical literature European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology April 19, 2017
- Effects of mindfulness meditation training offered in-person and via a virtual world on self-compassion: A study with U.S. military active duty and veterans. Work 2024
- Qualitative Survey Analysis of Higher Education Students' Experience of Mindfulness - Thematic Analysis International Journal of Education and Social Development January 21, 2025
- Brief mindfulness coaching enhances selective attention in medical scientists: A pilot study. PLoS One September 12, 2025
- The impact of mindfulness practice on physician burnout: A scoping review Frontiers in Psychology September 20, 2022
and 11 more in the library
Cites 13
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Mechanisms of mindfulness Journal of Clinical Psychology December 29, 2005
- Assessment of Mindfulness by Self-Report Assessment September 1, 2004
- Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders American Journal of Psychiatry July 1, 1992
- Association of an Educational Program in Mindful Communication With Burnout, Empathy, and Attitudes Among Primary Care Physicians JAMA September 22, 2009
and 8 more in the library