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

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.

The effect of mindfulness training on burnout syndrome in nursing: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…However, the studies in question (Duarte & Pinto‐Gouveia, ; Wong, Teng, Chee, Doshi, & Lim, ) reported high dropout rates, a pattern that has been repeated in other studies of healthcare workers (De Vibe et al, ; Shapiro, Astin, Bishop, & Cordova, ). Nevertheless, in line with some of our review findings, other authors have observed persistent improvements, lasting up to 12 months postintervention, with a reduction of 8.2% in burnout scores (Askey‐Jones, ; Fortney et al, ; Lebares et al, ; Martín‐Asuero & García‐Banda, ; Steinberg et al, ). In this respect, it should be taken into account that in providing a mindfulness‐based intervention for nursing staff, with a commitment of exclusive dedication, an extended duration of 8 weeks may give rise to serious practical difficulties and therefore some studies have used shorter versions of the programme, finding them to be equally effective (Brady, O'Connor, Burgermeister, & Hanson, ; Lebares et al, ).…”

“…However, the studies in question (Duarte & Pinto-Gouveia, 2016;Wong, Teng, Chee, Doshi, & Lim, 2018) reported high dropout rates, a pattern that has been repeated in other studies of healthcare workers (De Vibe et al, 2018;Shapiro, Astin, Bishop, & Cordova, 2005). Nevertheless, in line with some of our review findings, other authors have observed persistent improvements, lasting up to 12 months postintervention, with a reduction of 8.2% in burnout scores (Askey-Jones, 2018;Fortney et al, 2013;Lebares et al, 2018;Martín-Asuero & García-Banda, 2010;Steinberg et al, 2017).…”

Identifying the evidence base of interventions supporting mental health nurses to cope with stressful working environments: A scoping review

“…The need to involve active learning reflects the findings of Edwards and Burnard's (2003) review. Furthermore, other reviews of different occupational groups have also identified the importance of active learning (Askey‐Jones, 2018; Dreison et al., 2018; Hamilton‐West et al., 2018; Richardson & Rothstein, 2008). However, it is unknown which specific interventions are most effective or the optimum delivery models, for example whether the same benefits are derived from 2 or 8 sessions.…”

Multipronged intervention for reducing burnout and increasing resiliency in an interdisciplinary care team

“…The second intervention was a presentation by a productivity expert from the institution's human resources department on strategies and tools to work more efficiently with less stress, as decreased productivity is a common symptom of burnout. 18 The third intervention was a meditation practice led by a psychologist and dietitian. Team members were shown a video on the benefits of meditation, led in a guided meditation and encouraged to use a free 10-day meditation programme on the Headspace app.…”