TY - JOUR

T1 - A systematic review of the impact of mindfulness on the well-being of healthcare professionals

AU - Lomas, Tim

AU - Medina, Juan Carlos

AU - Ivtzan, Itai

AU - Rupprecht, Silke

AU - Eiroa-Orosa, Francisco José

PY - 2018/3

Y1 - 2018/3

N2 - Objective: Among efforts to improve the well-being of healthcare professionals are initiatives based around mindfulness meditation. To understand the value of such initiatives, we conducted a systematic review of empirical studies pertaining to mindfulness in healthcare professionals. Method: Databases were reviewed from the start of records to January 2016. Eligibility criteria included empirical analyses of mindfulness and well-being outcomes acquired in relation to practice. 81 papers met the eligibility criteria, comprising a total of 3,805 participants. Studies were principally examined for outcomes such as burnout, distress, anxiety, depression, and stress. Results: Mindfulness was generally associated with positive outcomes in relation to most measures (although results were more equivocal with respect to some outcomes, most notably burnout). Conclusion: Overall, mindfulness does appear to improve the well-being of healthcare professionals. However, the quality of the studies was inconsistent, so further research is needed, particularly high-quality randomized controlled trials.

AB - Objective: Among efforts to improve the well-being of healthcare professionals are initiatives based around mindfulness meditation. To understand the value of such initiatives, we conducted a systematic review of empirical studies pertaining to mindfulness in healthcare professionals. Method: Databases were reviewed from the start of records to January 2016. Eligibility criteria included empirical analyses of mindfulness and well-being outcomes acquired in relation to practice. 81 papers met the eligibility criteria, comprising a total of 3,805 participants. Studies were principally examined for outcomes such as burnout, distress, anxiety, depression, and stress. Results: Mindfulness was generally associated with positive outcomes in relation to most measures (although results were more equivocal with respect to some outcomes, most notably burnout). Conclusion: Overall, mindfulness does appear to improve the well-being of healthcare professionals. However, the quality of the studies was inconsistent, so further research is needed, particularly high-quality randomized controlled trials.

KW - healthcare professionals

KW - meditation

KW - mindfulness

KW - systematic review

KW - well-being

KW - Health sciences

KW - Psychology

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85026428685&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1002/jclp.22515

DO - 10.1002/jclp.22515

M3 - Scientific review articles

C2 - 28752554

AN - SCOPUS:85026428685

VL - 74

SP - 319

EP - 355

JO - Journal of Clinical Psychology

JF - Journal of Clinical Psychology

SN - 0021-9762

IS - 3

ER -