A Mindfulness Intervention for Residents: Relevance for Pediatricians

• DOI: 10.3928/19382359-20160912-01
• Publication Date: 2016-10-13T15:10:51Z
• Authors: Mallory Taylor; Joseph R. Hageman; Melanie Brown
• Keywords: Mindfulness meditation; Relevance

Physician burnout is a topic of growing importance in today's health care system. Tangible interventions aimed at reducing burnout and promoting wellness are now necessary components of medical training and practice. A study examined the feasibility and impact of a brief mindfulness intervention using a free smartphone application with a resident population. Participants used a free smartphone application to complete a 10-day program in mindfulness meditation, and completed surveys at the end of the program. Lack of time and knowledge were the top two barriers to regular meditation practice. More research in this area using a larger population is needed to further characterize the effects of mindfulness on medical trainees, as well as its utility for practicing pediatricians.

[ Pediatr Ann . 2016;45(10):e373–e376.]