Feasibility, acceptability and effect of the Mindful Practice curriculum in postgraduate training of general practitioners

Abstract

Background Early career general practitioners are known to be at high risk of burnout. There is a need for widely applicable, cost-effective evidence-based interventions to develop trainees’ protective skills and strategies. Results Of 120 eligible trainees, 23 (19.2%) expressed interest in participating, 17 subsequently started the course, and 15 completed at least 5 out of its 6 sessions. All psychological measures were stable for the six-week period prior to commencing the course. Following the course, there were statistically significant (p < 0.05) improvements in wellbeing, resilience, mindfulness, emotional exhaustion, disengagement, and stress scores. Participants described numerous benefits, and most stated that they would recommend it to colleagues. Conclusion Including mindful practice within general practice vocational training is feasible, and in this study it benefited the psychological wellbeing of participants. Further research is needed to explore ways of increasing uptake and course completion, the sustainability of its effects, and the wider applicability of this approach.

Effect of an Online Mindfulness Course for Hospital Doctors During COVID-19 Pandemic on Resilience and Coping

“…The main strength of this study was the use of an evidence-based mindfulness training program (MPC) that we had already tested with doctors undergoing general practice training (delivered in person). 15 Validated psychological outcome measures were used to assess effect of this remote course. Another strength was its remote delivery; this was a necessary measure during the COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2021.…”

“…However, in recent years there has been increasing interest in, and evidence of positive effects of, such training internationally. 3,15,16 Digitally delivered mindfulness interventions grew in popularity during COVID-19. 24 While the need for interventions to enhance the wellbeing of healthcare workers caring for patients during COVID-19 pandemic was particularly pressing, 25 our study is the first to report the use of a remotely delivered guided mindfulness program for hospital staff.…”

“…The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS) was used to measure mental well-being, 18 resilience was measured with Smith’s Brief Resilience Scale, 19 burnout was measured with the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory, 20 stress was measured with Cohen et al’s perceived stress scale 21 and mindfulness was assessed with Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised. 22 Detailed description of scoring and interpretation of these questionnaires can be found in a paper by Villarreal et al 15 Online questionnaires were completed via Qualtrics platform immediately before and immediately after the course. Additionally, participants were asked about the acceptability of the course and overall experience of the program in the post-course survey.…”

“…13 Mindfulness based interventions (MBI) have been shown to improve clinicians’ wellbeing and resilience, reduce burnout, and ultimately resulted in better patient care. 14,15 A recent systematic review highlighted that MBIs improve doctors’ wellbeing and work performance. 16…”

Feasibility of a brief mindfulness-based program for burnout in pain healthcare professionals

“…So far, the effectiveness of MBSR to reduce stress has been proven in different populations, including patients with emotional disorders ( López-del-Hoyo et al, 2022 ) or chronic pain ( Sanabria-Mazo et al, 2020 ), as well as in physicians from several specialties, psychologists, and nurses, among others ( Franco et al, 2010 ; Aranda Auserón et al, 2017 ; Gracia Gozalo et al, 2018 ; Villarreal et al, 2021 ). Encouragingly, recent systematic reviews suggests that this intervention has the potential to significantly reduce stress in healthcare professionals ( Burton et al, 2017 ; Lomas et al, 2019 ; Fendel et al, 2021 ).…”