Qualitative study shows that a brief, five week course of two hour classes and home practice of applied mindfulness based on the teachings of Zen Buddhist Thich Nhat Hanh were acceptable to a population of physicians and was effective to increase their perceived sense of wellness and enhance communication with their patients and colleagues.
Weisbaum, E., Chadi, N., & Young, L. T. (2023). Improving physician wellness through the
Applied Mindfulness Program for Medical Personnel: Findings from a prospective qualitative study. Canadian Medical Association Open Access Journal. https://www.cmajopen.ca/content/11/6/E1083
I find this study of particular interest for several reasons: First, the study population was physicians in a hospital practice setting, a population which shares many commonalities with nurses, and I am a retired NP with a special interest in the health of nurses. Second, it describes in detail a brief and replicable intervention consisting of five two hour classes. Third, the content and practices are based on Buddhist mindfulness practices, which is less common in current research than is the secularized mindfulness approach which is analogous in content. Fourth, the content is specifically based on the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, a widely respected teacher whose teachings I have studied.
Study Overview: Physicians’ well-being is crucial, yet often neglected, leading to high levels of stress and burnout. Mindfulness has been proposed as a valuable approach to support physician wellness. This qualitative study aimed to assess the impact of a 5-week Applied Mindfulness Program for Medical Personnel (AMP-MP) on physicians’ well-being and communication with patients and colleagues. The program involved 2-hour weekly sessions based on the teachings of Zen Master Thích Nhất Hạnh.
Intervention: The Applied Mindfulness Program for Medical Personnel (AMP-MP) offers 2-hour mindfulness training weekly for 5 weeks. Sessions blend didactic lectures with practical experiences, providing theoretical foundations for hands-on practices. The program’s structure and content are outlined in a table. AMP-MP draws from Thích Nhất Hạnh’s teachings to make mindfulness applicable in daily scenarios.
Each two hour class incorporated a review of the experiences of the home practices since the last session, a mindful eating practice, lecture, introduction of a new practice, and preparation for home practice between sessions.
Class One: Foundations for practice: Lecture: introduction to mindfulness/foundations of practice (including brief history of Applied Mindfulness and the Four Noble Truths). Practice: attending to bell/breath. Take home activities: Practice: awareness of breath | Concept: journal/reflection on impact of “judgmental internal mental discourses”.
Class Two: Identifying and transforming habits. Lecture: habit energies. Practice: mindful walking activity. Take home activity: Practice: mindful walking | Concept: identify/examine strong “habit energies” (e.g., how do habit energies show up skillfully/unskillfully in daily life?)
Class Three: Nourishing our mind. Lecture: the 4 nutriments and store consciousness. Practice: body awareness practice. Take home activity: Practice: mindful eating | Concept: identify/examine “store consciousness” (e.g., what “seeds” are watered based on daily activities/interactions)
Class Four: Skillful communication. Lecture: interbeing (interconnection), empathy fatigue versus compassion. Practice: loving kindness/kind intention. Take home activity: application in daily life project/worksheet (integration assignment reviewing all practices/concepts from across the training)
Class Five: Integration and application. Lecture: well-being/happiness as products of practice (eightfold path + program review). Practice: tea/coffee meditation and closing ceremony (presentations of take-home application projects from session 4) Closing circle/intention setting.
Outcomes emerging from Qualitative Analysis: Participants had positive experiences with a 5-week mindfulness program. They found it helpful and enriching. Participants described reduced stress, increased self-awareness, and improved communication with patients and colleagues. Participants noticed changes in behavior and thinking, like being kinder to themselves and separating work from personal life, which made them feel better and reduced mental strain. Mindfulness training also enhanced communication skills, making participants more aware during tough conversations, less reactive, and more empathetic toward patients. It helped them become more patient-focused, aware of their biases, and improved interactions with colleagues. Participants reported learning skills to manage stress, balance work and personal life, provide better patient care, handle job stress, and be more compassionate with patients.
Implications and Recommendations: This qualitative study suggests that a 5-week mindfulness program can positively impact physician well-being and patient interactions. Integrating mindfulness into daily routines was found to be practical for busy schedules. Encouraging mindfulness practices may contribute to creating healthier and more compassionate healthcare environments, supporting physicians’ well-being and enhancing patient care.
