Compassion In Practice Research Articles

Brief Meditation Practices for Caregivers and Patients: An Informational and Experiential Introduction to Mindfulness and Compassion Practice (FR423)

1.Review major findings regarding physiological effects and clinical outcomes associated with mindfulness and compassion meditation.2.Guide participants through three brief mediation practices of benefit to both caregivers and patients.3.Discuss practical applications of brief meditation practices for care of self and patients. Meditation has historically been considered a spiritual practice and is foundational to certain caregiving traditions. More than three decades of research have shed light on the physiological effects and clinical benefits of meditation; these findings have important implications for providers of palliative care and their patients. Much of that research has examined mindfulness-based stress reduction and related mindfulness-based healthcare interventions. Investigators have also explored the effects of compassion meditation and other practices. Studies have demonstrated an association with biological changes in brain structure and function (Davidson, Kabat-Zinn et al., 2003; Lutz, Brefczynski-Lewis et al., 2008; Desbordes, Negi, Pace, et al., 2012) as well as positive effects on biological markers implicated in multiple disease mechanisms (Greeson, 2009). Clinical outcomes include reduced anxiety, improved mood, less fatigue, and fewer somatic symptoms (De Vibe, Bjørndal, et al., 2012; Grossman, Niemann et al., 2004; Marchland 2012). Research has been conducted among general medical patients and also among patients with cancer (Ledesma, Kumano, 2008), including patients on a bone marrow transplantation unit (Bauer-Wu 2008); these findings have important implications for patients at the endoflife (Carlson, Halifax, 2011). Studies examining the health impact of mindfulness on physicians and nurses have shown significant reduction in indicators of professional burnout. (Krasner, Epstein, Beckman, et al., 2009; Cohen-Katz, Wiley, 2005) Meditation involves the self-regulation of attention and emotion and the cultivation of present-moment awareness. Mindfulness and compassion meditations share a common tradition of practices intended to cultivate calm, kindness, caring, and happiness. This session will present a conceptual foundation of mindfulness and compassion practice and review highlights of research findings. Participants will be guided through three brief meditations that are appropriate for self-care and for the care of patients: body scan, 3-minute breathing space (Segal, Williams, et al., 2013), and compassion practice. Information for ongoing learning will be provided.

Can You Tap the Patient at Home? Managing Liver Failure on Hospice (FR425)

Objectives 1. Review major findings regarding physiological effects and clinical outcomes associated with mindfulness and compassion meditation. 2. Guide participants through three brief mediation practices of benefit to both caregivers and patients. 3. Discuss practical applications of brief meditation practices for care of self and patients. Meditation has historically been considered a spiritual practice and is foundational to certain caregiving traditions. More than three decades of research have shed light on the physiological effects and clinical benefits of meditation; these findings have important implications for providers of palliative care and their patients. Much of that research has examined mindfulness-based stress reduction and related mindfulness-based healthcare interventions. Investigators have also explored the effects of compassion meditation and other practices. Studies have demonstrated an association with biological changes in brain structure and function (Davidson, Kabat-Zinn et al., 2003; Lutz, Brefczynski-Lewis et al., 2008; Desbordes, Negi, Pace, et al., 2012) as well as positive effects on biological markers implicated in multiple disease mechanisms (Greeson, 2009). Clinical outcomes include reduced anxiety, improved mood, less fatigue, and fewer somatic symptoms (De Vibe, Bjorndal, et al., 2012; Grossman, Niemann et al., 2004; Marchland 2012). Research has been conducted among general medical patients and also among patients with cancer (Ledesma, Kumano, 2008), including patients on a bone marrow transplantation unit (Bauer-Wu 2008); these findings have important implications for patients at the endoflife (Carlson, Halifax, 2011). Studies examining the health impact of mindfulness on physicians and nurses have shown significant reduction in indicators of professional burnout. (Krasner, Epstein, Beckman, et al., 2009; Cohen-Katz, Wiley, 2005) Meditation involves the self-regulation of attention and emotion and the cultivation of present-moment awareness. Mindfulness and compassion meditations share a common tradition of practices intended to cultivate calm, kindness, caring, and happiness. This session will present a conceptual foundation of mindfulness and compassion practice and review highlights of research findings. Participants will be guided through three brief meditations that are appropriate for self-care and for the care of patients: body scan, 3-minute breathing space (Segal, Williams, et al., 2013), and compassion practice. Information for ongoing learning will be provided.

The role of the midwife: Past, present and future

British Journal of MidwiferyVol. 22, No. 2 BirthwriteThe role of the midwife: Past, present and futureCharlotte KuponiyiCharlotte KuponiyiSearch for more papers by this authorCharlotte KuponiyiPublished Online:20 Feb 2014https://doi.org/10.12968/bjom.2014.22.2.82AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail View article References Andrews S (2004) Managerial implications of expanding practice. British Journal of Midwifery 12(2): 114–9 Link, Google ScholarCharlton D (1996) What constitutes an advanced practising midwife? British Journal of Midwifery 4(4): 174–5 Link, Google ScholarDepartment of Health (1993) Changing Childbirth: Report of the Expert Maternity Group. The Stationery Office, London Google ScholarDepartment of Health (2010) Midwifery 2020: Delivering expectations. Department of Health, London Google ScholarDepartment of Health (2011) NHS Leadership Framework. NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement, Coventry Google ScholarDepartment of Health (2012) Compassion in practice, nursing, midwifery and care staff: Our vision and strategy. The Stationery Office, London Google ScholarDowne S (1999) Midwives, experts, and higher awards. British Journal of Midwifery 7(7): 430 Link, Google ScholarInternational Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (2005) International definition of midwife as accepted by FIGO, WHO and ICM 2005. FIGO, London Google ScholarLewis G (ed.) (2007) Saving Mothers Lives: Reviewing maternal deaths to make motherhood safer –2003–2005. The Seventh Report on Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths in the United Kingdom. Confidential Enquiry into Maternal and Child Health, London Google ScholarRogers R (2010) Aspiring consultant midwives: A trainee programme and its role in future practice leadership. MIDIRS Midwifery Digest 20(1): 20–23 Google Scholar FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails 1 February 2014Volume 22Issue 2ISSN (print): 0969-4900ISSN (online): 2052-4307 Metrics History Published online 20 February 2014 Published in print 1 February 2014 Information© MA Healthcare LimitedPDF download

How does it really feel to be in my shoes? Patients' experiences of compassion within nursing care and their perceptions of developing compassionate nurses

Aims and objectivesTo understand how patients experience compassion within nursing care and explore their perceptions of developing compassionate nurses.BackgroundCompassion is a fundamental part of nursing care. Individually, nurses have a duty of care to show compassion; an absence can lead to patients feeling devalued and lacking in emotional support. Despite recent media attention, primary research around patients' experiences and perceptions of compassion in practice and its development in nursing care remains in short supply.DesignA qualitative exploratory descriptive approach.MethodsIn-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 10 patients in a large teaching hospital in the United Kingdom. Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic networks were used in analysis.ResultsThree overarching themes emerged from the data: (1) what is compassion: knowing me and giving me your time, (2) understanding the impact of compassion: how it feels in my shoes and (3) being more compassionate: communication and the essence of nursing.ConclusionCompassion from nursing staff is broadly aligned with actions of care, which can often take time. However, for some, this element of time needs only be fleeting to establish a compassionate connection. Despite recent calls for the increased focus compassion at all levels in nurse education and training, patient opinion was divided on whether it can be taught or remains a moral virtue. Gaining understanding of the impact of uncompassionate actions presents an opportunity to change both individual and cultural behaviours.Relevance to clinical practiceIt comes as a timely reminder that the smallest of nursing actions can convey compassion. Introducing vignettes of real-life situations from the lens of the patient to engage practitioners in collaborative learning in the context of compassionate nursing could offer opportunities for valuable and legitimate professional development.

Vocation and altruism in nursing

At a time when British nursing has been under scrutiny for an apparent lack of compassion in education and practice, this paper based offers a perspective on the notions of vocation and altruism in nursing. To understand the vocational and altruistic motivations of nurses through the application of Pierre Bourdieu's concepts of 'symbolic capital', 'field' and 'habitus' through a long interview with nurse respondents. A reflexive qualitative study was undertaken using the long interview. A thematic analysis of the data, using a qualitative data software package for analysis, was undertaken. The ideas of Pierre Bourdieu (Habitus, Capital and Field) were used to analyse and explain the content of community nurses' 'talk'. Twelve Community Nurses working in a variety of local primary care settings volunteered to participate in the study. It was a self-selecting convenience sample of nurses responding to an invitation to be interviewed. A study in support of a doctoral thesis conducted within NHS primary care settings with registered nurses. The key considerations for this study were to be mindful of the possibility of emotional harm or distress being caused to the respondents during the retelling of their experiences. It was also essential to ensure that the locations or names of patients or staff (if discussed) were anonymised. Ethical approval was sought and granted by both the Local NHS Primary Care and the University Ethics committees before the study commenced. The nurse respondents had highly individual and at times contradictory views on their motivations to nurse including their views on vocation and altruism in nursing careers. Bourdieu's ideas apply well to the nursing context and provided a useful theoretical framework to explore the social and cultural influences on nursing careers. Gender is important consideration in all aspects of nursing but class and educational experience is an important dimension in the stories nurses tell. The culturally determined experiences of these nurses in practice offer an authentic and realistic insight into the complex motives and predispositions of community nurses. This paper argues that nurse motivations whether vocational or altruistic, are better understood as culturally, rather than spiritually, driven.

Self-Care and Self-Discipline through Qi Gong

Objectives: One of the most important aspects of Qi Gong practice is to understand self-care and self-discipline as a practitioner’s service both to themself and to others. Self-care and self-discipline is physical, mental, and spiritual. By understanding one’s responsibility in this way, practitioners are free to practice medicine as a relationship between themselves and patients, helping them to become a healer.Methods: Traditional Chinese Medicine as a philosophy and practice will be introduced in the context of developing a successful Qi Gong practice. Basic Qi Gong techniques in posture, movement, breathing, phonation, and visualization will be demonstrated interactively. Increasing self-awareness will be emphasized, so that practitioners can use Qi Gong techniques to develop healing skills in their medical practice.Results: Although it requires long-term commitment to receive many of the deeper rewards of a dedicated Qi Gong practice, many of the early benefits are possible with only a modest investment in performing proper Qi Gong techniques. Practitioners will learn to increase their mindfulness and concentration, and understand the value of self-care and self-discipline. Through short practice sessions, the utility of Qi Gong in improving healing will become evident to the novice and initiated alike.Conclusions: Qi Gong is a series of ancient techniques from Traditional Chinese Medicine that promote self-care and self-discipline as a service to oneself and others. Qi Gong is a valuable method for taking care of oneself, and also allows practitioners to transfer its benefits to patients during the compassionate practice of medicine. It forms a foundation for whole person care by strengthening practitioners to provide healing to patients on the physical, mental, and spiritual levels.

Beyond Compassion Fatigue: The Transactional Model of Physician Compassion

Physician compassion is expected by both patients and the medical profession and is central to effective clinical practice. Yet, despite the centrality of compassion to medical practice, most compassion-related research has focused on compassion fatigue, a specific type of burnout among health providers. Although such research has highlighted the phenomenon among clinicians, the focus on compassion fatigue has neglected the study of compassion itself. In this article, we present the Transactional Model of Physician Compassion. After briefly critiquing the utility of the compassion fatigue concept, we offer a view in which physician compassion stems from the dynamic but interrelated influences of physician, patient and family, clinical situation, and environmental factors. Illuminating the specific aspects of physicians' intrapersonal, interpersonal, clinical, and professional functioning that may interfere with or enhance compassion allows for targeted interventions to promote compassion in both education and practice as well as to reduce the barriers that impede it.

Applications of Buddhist Compassion Practices Among People Suffering from Depression and Anxiety in Confucian Societies in East Asia

Compassion practices originating from the Buddhist meditation traditions have aroused considerable interest among many Western practitioners and researchers over the past decade. In this article the author explores the potential of compassion practice for clinical interventions by examining psychological conflict experienced among East Asian populations in Confucian societies. This is followed by a discussion of the historical roots of Buddhist compassion practice and a rationale for its application for people with depression or anxiety. The implications of clinical applications, suggested procedures, and possible difficulties are highlighted. Compassion-Mindfulness Therapy (C-MT) has been developed and the positive results of a randomized control trial are offered, suggesting support for the benefits of mindfulness and compassion practices for individuals suffering from depression and anxiety.

Understanding suffering and giving compassion: the reach of socially engaged Buddhism into China

This paper will explore the social engagement of Buddhists through their active voluntary works – works that result in the development of a religious philanthropic culture. Through three case examples, this paper will examine how the sangha and individual Buddhists understand social suffering and compassion and attempt to integrate their understanding of Buddhist virtues and values in their daily life where the performance of voluntary works is seen as Buddhist spiritualism. In this process, the individuals seek to understand the key principles of Buddhism that are of direct relevance to their daily existence and their quest to be a compassionate self. Foremost are two notions of yebao (karma) and gan-en (gratitude) and how through compassionate practices and gratitude for those who accepted compassionate acts, they would be rewarded with good karma. Here, pursuing compassionate acts and the alleviation of social suffering is the pursuit of this-worldly spiritualism.

Understanding Compassion Practices: Managing Workplace Suffering through Structure

Human suffering is prevalent in healthcare organizations (HCOs). When caregivers struggle with personal and work- related losses and setbacks, these struggles can negatively impact both caregivers and their organizations in costly ways. Compassion is one way in which people attempt to relieve the suffering of others in the workplace. Many scholars assume that the expression of compassion at work helps individuals who are suffering, but the impact of compassion on organizations is less well understood. This study examines the links between organizational means for fostering compassion and workplace suffering in healthcare where the management of suffering is of critical importance to providing high quality care. This study uses qualitative data from a field study of two hospitals in order to better understand these linkages.

Perinatal domestic abuse: Midwives making a difference through effective public health practice

This discussion article addresses the key issues around some of the challenges of perinatal domestic abuse. It provides some guidance on initiatives recently developed as part of the national nursing and midwifery vision and strategy Compassion in Practice; specifically around developments within public health nursing and midwifery. The importance of building effective partnership and wider agency working relationships between midwifery and fellow professionals is explored together with some practical guidance on improving health outcomes for this vulnerable group of women.

Clarifying misconceptions about compassionate care

To discuss the meaning of compassionate care as it applies to staff, patients and families in health and social care settings, its application to practice and how organizational infrastructures affect the delivery of care. The term compassion has assumed headline status and inclusion in current health and social care policy. Clarity of what the term means in practice is needed and may help to promote delivery of compassionate care consistently across health and social care settings. Discussion paper. This article draws on data from an action research programme (Leadership in Compassionate Care Programme, 2007-2011) that focused on embedding compassionate care into practice and education and related literature focused on compassionate person-centred care. A literature search was conducted and articles published in English relating to the terms compassionate, person-centred care between 1999-2011 were included. Perceptions of compassion, practising compassion and the infrastructure to support compassion are discussed. It is anticipated that this discussion will prompt further debate, raise awareness and help to clarify the meaning of compassion in everyday practice with patients, relatives and staff, so that it can be more clearly named, valued and defended. This article challenges some of the beliefs and values that underpin the meaning of compassionate care and its application to practice. It brings greater clarity to the meaning of compassion, which could be used to form the basis of shared visions of caring, both strategic and operational, across organizations.

Voices - Jane Cummings reflects on what has been achieved in a busy 2013.

December marks one year since Compassion in Practice (CiP) was launched, in which we aimed to get to the essence of great care. Through the 6Cs, I am confident we have done this.

A task-fit measure of health information technology use

Rationale, aims and objectives: Introducing profession concerns into the evaluation of health information technology (HIT) use is an important and developing practice. A comprehensive evaluation should include the intellect elements of HIT use. This paper proposes a task-fit measure of HIT that integrates an information/knowledge quality scale into a validated judicious HIT use measure. It also presents some statistics that have implications for policy-making and curriculum development.Methods: Statistical analyses were performed on a subset of survey data. A structural equation modelling technique was applied to examine the associations among intent to use HIT, professional concerns and information/knowledge quality.Results: The statistical results show that altruism, autonomy, physician-patient relationship, (subconscious) autonomy, digestible information and medical history associate with each other to different extents. Only altruism and medical history show to be significant determinants of intent to use at P<0.001 and P<0.05 respectively. The scaled χ2 difference test shows that this model is not significantly different from the judicious HIT use model.Conclusion: The statistical results suggest that professional concerns, digestible information and person-related information are HIT use decision factors. Perhaps physicians may prefer HITs considered to be compatible with practising the science, humanism and ethics of medicine simultaneously. This research direction will potentially contribute to identifying the task-fit HITs and the corresponding policies for re-orientating medicine to be a science-using and compassionate practice in this eHealth era, thereby promoting the development of person-centered healthcare.

A critical analysis of Compassion in Practice

Compassion in Practice is a policy introduced in England to develop a culture of compassionate practice among healthcare staff. There is widespread recognition and agreement of the importance of compassionate practice, and the policy offers a vision underpinned by a desirable set of values. In this article, the significance of a coherent vision is explored and is followed by discussion of the need to anchor the policy vision in values that are important to healthcare staff. The policy's approach to vision and values may generate tensions, which are also examined and discussed.

Creating a selection process to recruit students with the six Cs

British Journal of MidwiferyVol. 21, No. 11 CommentCreating a selection process to recruit students with the six CsJane Fry, Sue Mant, Jan Stosiek, Sarah EmberleyJane FrySearch for more papers by this author, Sue MantSearch for more papers by this author, Jan StosiekSearch for more papers by this author, Sarah EmberleySearch for more papers by this authorJane Fry; Sue Mant; Jan Stosiek; Sarah EmberleyPublished Online:18 Nov 2013https://doi.org/10.12968/bjom.2013.21.11.822AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail View article References Barker K. (2013) Can care and compassion be taught? British Journal of Midwifery 21(2): 82 Link, Google ScholarDepartment of Health (2012) Compassion in Practice. Nursing, Midwifery and Care Staff. Our Vision and Strategy. www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/compassion-in-practice.pdf (accessed 30 October 2013) Google Scholar FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited byLack of compassion or poor discretion? Ways of addressing malpractice14 August 2017 | Nursing Ethics, Vol. 26, No. 2A concept analysis of compassionate midwifery5 December 2016 | Journal of Advanced Nursing, Vol. 73, No. 3Dignity and respect in midwifery education in the UK: A survey of Lead Midwives of EducationNurse Education in Practice, Vol. 21 1 November 2013Volume 21Issue 11ISSN (print): 0969-4900ISSN (online): 2052-4307 Metrics History Published online 18 November 2013 Published in print 1 November 2013 Information© MA Healthcare LimitedPDF download

Practical compassions: repertoires of practice and compassion talk in acute mental healthcare

This article reports an exploratory study of the concept of compassion in the work of 20 mental health practitioners in a UK Midlands facility. Using notions of practice derived from phenomenology and Bourdieusian sociology and notions of emotional labour we identify two contrasting interpretive repertoires in discussions of compassion. The first, the practical compassion repertoire, evokes the practical, physical and bodily aspects of compassion. It involves organising being with patients, playing games, anticipating disruption and taking them outside for cigarettes. Practitioners described being aware that these practical, bodily activities could lead to patients 'opening up', disclosing their interior concerns and enabling practical, compassionate mental health work to take place. In contrast, the second, organisational repertoire, concerns organisational constraints on compassionate practice. The shortage of staff, the record-keeping and internal processes of quality control were seen as time-greedy and apt to detract from contact with patients. The findings are discussed in relation to Bourdieu and Merleau-Ponty's phenomenological accounts of practice and habit and set in context in the growing interest in placing compassion centrally in healthcare. We also explore how the exercise of compassion in the way our participants describe it can afford the more effective exercise of medical power.

Compassion, Caring and Communication: Skills for Nursing Practice Compassion, Caring and Communication: Skills for Nursing Practice

Compassion, Caring and Communication: Skills for Nursing Practice Compassion, Caring and Communication: Skills for Nursing Practice

Compassion in 21st century medicine: Is it sustainable?

Philosophical and scientific understandings of compassion converge, both stressing its necessity for the moral life and human flourishing. I conceptualise a dynamic and frangible account of professional virtues, including compassion, and propose that mechanistic organisational systems of care and the biomedical paradigm create a strong risk of dehumanisation and the obliteration of compassion in healthcare. Additionally, the neoliberal market ideology, with its instrumental approach to individuals and commodification of healthcare creates a corrosive influence that alienates clinicians from their patients and severely curtails the scope for compassionate practice. The tension between efficiency and patient orientated care – although they need not be mutually exclusive – has become more acute in the current economic climate, at a time when the boundaries of medicine have broadened and expectations for healthcare have risen. This has created an unsustainable dynamic within which alienated healthcare professionals struggle to fulfil their healing roles and patients experience abandonment and more anxiety.

Health visitor V100 prescribing: Considering the six Cs

In light of the Francis report and the introduction of the six Cs, it is imperative that health professionals evidence compassion in practice. Dilyse Nuttall considers V100 prescribing as a relevant example of how health visitors can embed and champion the six Cs in a changing NHS.