Mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy: An efficacy study for mental health care staff

WHAT IS KNOWN OF THE SUBJECT: Burnout is a major concern within the NHS impacting negatively on mental healthcare professionals. Evidence suggests that burnout can lead to reduced productivity and reduced quality of care for patients. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have demonstrated effectiveness in mitigating burnout for healthcare professionals. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE: This paper reinforces the positive outcomes within the current literature that MBIs can help reduce burnout amongst mental healthcare professionals. The strength of the paper is that it reports significant correlations between decreased burnout following an increase in mindfulness. No previous research has examined this area and this is the first study to do so. The participants within this study demonstrated increased personal accomplishment and decreased emotional exhaustion following an 8-week MBCT course which was maintained at 6-month follow-up. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Occupational departments should consider MBI's as part of a package of care for mental healthcare staff as a preventative intervention or as a means of reducing burnout amongst healthcare staff that are currently experiencing emotional and physical exhaustion. ABSTRACT: Introduction Burnout is a major concern within the NHS impacting negatively on mental healthcare professionals. Evidence suggests that burnout can lead to reduced productivity and reduced quality of care for patients. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have demonstrated effectiveness in mitigating burnout for healthcare professionals; however, no previous research has directly reported correlations between burnout and mindfulness.

Aim: Does mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) reduce burnout amongst mental healthcare professionals and are there any direct correlations between mindfulness and burnout itself?

Method: This effectiveness study evaluated a series of 8-week (MBCT) groups adapted for healthcare professionals. Participants completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and Friedberg Mindfulness Inventory (FMI) at pre, post and 6-month follow-up.

Results: Analysis revealed overall significance and large effect sizes on all three subscales of the MBI and the FMI. There were significant correlations in mindfulness when burnout was reduced.

Discussion: These results suggest that MBCT groups for healthcare professionals offer a promising intervention for reducing burnout. Implications for Practice Occupational departments could consider MBI's as part of a package of care for mental healthcare staff as a preventative intervention or as a means of reducing burnout amongst healthcare staff.