Sir William Osler: A forerunner of mindfulness in medical practice

Abstract

Increasing work hours, patient loads, and regulations have increased burnout among health care professionals, forcing many to neglect their own physical and emotional well-being. In response, several health care organizations are encouraging physicians to adopt mindfulness practices to reduce burnout and difficulties maintaining work-life balance. It is unclear whether mindfulness will improve health outcomes and patient satisfaction or will become another passing trend. With the stakes so high, this discussion should involve the founder of our modern education system, Sir William Osler.

An interfaith dialogue with Sir William Osler: crossing the divide of COVID-19 pandemic

“…Dr. Osler was a Canadian physician who practiced during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and has become immortalized as the ideal model for clinicians in perfecting proper physical examination, diagnostic reasoning, physician-patient relationship [7]. Despite his busy schedule, Osler was able to maintain a sense of intimacy and cooperation with his patients despite his periodic feelings of tiredness, lack of enthusiasm, cynicism, and diminished sense of personal achievement and satisfaction [8]. Beyond his impressive skills as a clinician, Osler's essays on the medical practice, leadership, and his personal charisma continue to serve as a model for physician behavior at the bedside [9].…”