How to Heal the Healer: Combating Burnout Using Compassion and Mindfulness-Based Interventions

Abstract

We explore how medical culture contributes to burnout. Highlighting specific programs aimed at developing compassion and mindfulness skills, we share our own perspectives and experiences implementing similarly focused programs. Promising results on the application of compassion-based programs show evidence of improvements to a number of measures of trainee wellbeing, particularly among the most vulnerable trainees, while results pertaining to mindfulness programs show improvements to performance as well [1,2]. As such, implementation of programs with emphasis on compassion and mindfulness could combat burnout, while also ensuring compassionate and excellent patient care.