Evaluación de la efectividad de un programa de mindfulness y autocompasión para reducir el estrés y prevenir el burnout en profesionales sanitarios de atención primaria

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of a Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Program on the levels of stress and burnout in Primary Care health professionals. DesignRandomised, controlled clinical trial. Participants and settingTraining in Mindfulness was offered to 1,281 health professionals in Navarra (Spain) Primary Care, and 48 of them accepted. The participants were randomly assigned to groups: 25 to the intervention group, and the remaining 23 to the control group. InterventionThe Mindfulness and Self-Compassion training program consisted of sessions of 2.5chours/week for 8 weeks. The participants had to attend at least 75% of the sessions and perform a daily practical of 45minutes. Main measurementsThe levels of mindfulness, self-compassion, perceived stress, and burnout were measured using four questionnaires before and after the intervention. ResultsAfter the intervention, the scores of the intervention group improved significantly in mindfulness (P<.001); perceived stress (P<.001); self-compassion: self-kindness P<.001, shared humanity P=.004, mindfulness P=.001; and burnout: emotional fatigue (P=.046). The comparison with the control group showed significant differences in mindfulness (P<.001), perceived stress (P<.001), self-kindness (P<.001) and emotional fatigue (P=.032). ConclusionsThis work suggests that it may be beneficial to encourage mindfulness and self-compassion practices in the health environment.