Abstract
Healthcare employees often experience high stress and may benefit from accessible psychosocial interventions. In this pilot study, we explored preliminary feasibility, acceptability, and psychological effects of a telephone-based adaption of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for healthcare employees. Eleven participants (M age = 49.9; 27.3% ethnic/racial minority) were enrolled in an eight-session group-based MBSR program adapted for telephone delivery. Feasibility was assessed using rates of program attrition and session completion; acceptability was explored qualitatively via participants’ responses to an open-ended item about their program experience. Participants also completed pre-and post-program assessments on psychosocial outcomes (distress (overall distress, depression, anxiety, somatization), mindfulness, and self-compassion). We characterized mean change scores, 95% confidence intervals, and effect sizes to explore preliminary program effects. With regard to preliminary feasibility, one participant dropped out prior to the intervention; of the remaining 10 participants, 90% completed at least half (≥4) of the sessions; 70% completed at least three-quarters (≥6 sessions). Feedback reflected positive experiences and included suggestions for program delivery. Participants reported reductions in distress post-program (M difference range = −5.0 to −9.4), showing medium to large effect sizes (d range = 0.68 to 1.11). Mindfulness scores increased from pre- to post-intervention (M difference range = 1.0 to 10.4), with small-to-medium effects (d range = 0.18 to 0.55). Almost all aspects of self-compassion remained stable over time, with the exception of common humanity, which increased post-program (M difference = 2.9, CI 95% 0.5 to 5.4, d = 0.91). Preliminary findings from our small pilot trial suggest that telephone-based adaptations of MBSR may be a useful mode of delivery for healthcare employees; however, larger studies are needed to provide further evidence of feasibility, acceptability, and program effects.
Highlights
Twelve individuals contacted the study team about participating in the program; eleven consented, but one declined to participate in the intervention due to the time commitment involved
With respect to mindfulness as measured by the FFMQ, improvements were observed in non-reactivity, with a mean increase of 2.3 and a medium effect size (d = 0.55)
Our findings suggest that a telephone-based format may be a feasible mode of delivery for an eight-session mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program for healthcare employees
Summary
Stress is common among healthcare employees [1,2,3], with rates of emotional distress and burnout increasing in recent years [4]. High distress among healthcare employees is linked to poorer individual health outcomes [8], and to poorer work performance and patient care and outcomes as well [8,9,10,11]. Addressing healthcare employee stress and psychological well-being is a critical issue that has garnered increasing attention [5,6,12]. To address stress and psychological well-being among healthcare employees, a number of workplace-based interventions have been developed and evaluated. One popular program is mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR). Mindfulness is defined as paying attention to the present moment purposefully and non-judgmentally [13,14,15].
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