Mindfulness and compassion-oriented practices at work reduce distress and enhance self-care of palliative care teams: a mixed-method evaluation of an “on the job“ program
Open Access
- 6 July 2017
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in BMC Palliative Care
- Vol. 17 (1), 1-15
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-017-0219-7
Abstract
Maintaining a sense of self-care while providing patient centered care, can be difficult for practitioners in palliative medicine. We aimed to pilot an “on the job” mindfulness and compassion-oriented meditation training for interdisciplinary teams designed to reduce distress, foster resilience and strengthen a prosocial motivation in the clinical encounter. Our objective was to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of this newly developed training. The study design was an observational, mixed-method pilot evaluation, with qualitative data, self-report data, as well as objective data (cortisol) measured before and after the program. Twenty-eight staff members of an interdisciplinary palliative care team participated in the 10-week training conducted at their workplace. Measures were the Perceived Stress Questionnaire, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the somatic complaints subscale of the SCL-90-R, the Emotion Regulation Skills Questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and a Goal Attainment Scale that assessed two individual goals. Semi-structured interviews were employed to gain insight into the perceived outcomes and potential mechanisms of action of the training. T-tests for dependent samples were employed to test for differences between baseline and post-intervention. Significant improvements were found in two of three burnout components (emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment), anxiety, stress, two emotional regulation competences and joy at work. Furthermore, 85% of the individual goals were attained. Compliance and acceptance rates were high and qualitative data revealed a perceived enhancement of self-care, the integration of mindful pauses in work routines, a reduction in rumination and distress generated in the patient contact as well as an enhancement of interpersonal connection skills. An improvement of team communication could also be identified. Our findings suggest that the training may be a feasible, effective and practical way of reducing caregiver-distress and enhancing the resources of palliative care teams.Funding Information
- Maaßen-Stiftungs-gGmbH , Steinen, Germany (None)
- ALPHA NRW (Ansprechstellen im Land NRW zur Palliativversorgung, Hospizarbeit und Angehörigenbegleitung), Münster, Germany (None)
- Buddha-Stiftung, Darmstadt, Germany (None)
This publication has 65 references indexed in Scilit:
- Increased gray matter volume in the right angular and posterior parahippocampal gyri in loving-kindness meditatorsSocial Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 2012
- Deficits in emotion-regulation skills predict alcohol use during and after cognitive–behavioral therapy for alcohol dependence.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 2011
- Impact of death and dying on the personal lives and practices of palliative and hospice care professionalsCMAJ : Canadian Medical Association Journal, 2010
- Cortisol as a marker for improvement in mindfulness-based stress reductionComplementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 2010
- Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2008
- Regulation of the Neural Circuitry of Emotion by Compassion Meditation: Effects of Meditative ExpertisePLOS ONE, 2008
- The use of Goal Attainment Scaling in a community health promotion initiative with seniorsBMC Geriatrics, 2007
- Association of Perceived Medical Errors With Resident Distress and EmpathyJAMA, 2006
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: Model, processes and outcomesBehaviour Research and Therapy, 2006
- The Hospital Anxiety and Depression ScaleActa Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 1983