A systematic review of the impact of mindfulness on the wellbeing of healthcare professionals.

Among efforts to improve the wellbeing of healthcare professionals are initiatives based around mindfulness meditation.

To understand the value of such initiatives, a systematic review of empirical studies pertaining to mindfulness in healthcare professionals was conducted.

Design: Databases were reviewed from the start of records to January 2016. Eligibility criteria included empirical analyses of mindfulness and wellbeing outcomes acquired in relation to practice. 81 papers met the eligibility criteria, consisting of a total 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 wellbeing of healthcare professionals.

Download the study here.

Lomas, Tim; Ivtzan, Itai; Eiroa-Orosa, Francisco Jose; Medina, Joan C. (2017). ‘A systematic review of

the impact of mindfulness on the wellbeing of healthcare professionals.’ Journal of Clinical Psychology.