PLX Academy · Personal Experiences · 04 July 2022
Mindfulness is consistently cited as a pragmatic approach to effectively address burnout and enhance physician wellbeing. According to Physicians Leadership, doctors spend an average 13 – 16 minutes per appointment with their patients but how much of that time is spent focusing on the patient is a question in relation with their mindfulness.
“Before you see your next patient, you should pause for a moment and ask yourself what is truly on your mind from the many stressful demands in the hospital,” according to Physicians Leadership.
Researchers have found that the benefits of mindfulness can improve interactions and relationships of physicians with their colleagues and patients. The new study “Your Presence is Requested: Mindfulness Infusion in Workplace Interactions and Relationships,” has found that mindful interactions — infused with intentionality, compassion and presence — can bring about more harmonious and healthy situations in organizations. This practice may results in a formal way, such as engaging in a mindful pause before beginning a meeting, or informal, such as listening to someone with a high level of attention.
Researchers conducted 30 formal interviews with managers, professionals and consultants who practice mindfulness in the workplace, and more than 50 informal interviews with a wide variety of individuals who apply mindfulness principles at work. High-quality connections are shown to improve individual functioning and positively affect group outcomes, such as psychological safety and trust. In addition to mindfulness arising within an interaction, the study also found that mindfulness practices could be used to set individuals up for success in future interactions, such as when preparing for a difficult or important conversation. “Mindfulness reminds us that our thoughts and emotions are complex,” author of the study Reina said”. Individuals must be aware of both their own and the thoughts and emotions of others in order to navigate these complexities with skill and compassion.