Mindfulness

Most if not all physicians in training report feelings of exhaustion, burnout and inadequacy. Although many of these are normal reactions to an intense and rigorous period in their lives, it is possible to learn behaviors which can counter some of the physical and psychological impact. Mindfulness has been shown to be an effective antidote, and it is possible to incorporate mindfulness into one’s daily routine in a practical and efficient manner. Practicing mindfulness can ease the consequences of stress while simultaneously improving patient care. The key is the amount of practice one engages in; the more times one can practice mindfulness on a daily basis, the more benefits one receives. Physicians are encouraged to learn basic mindfulness skills and incorporate them into their personal and professional lives. This review contains 11 references. Keywords: mindfulness, meditation, residents, medical training, stress, depression, anxiety, symptom reduction