The Effectiveness of Mindfulness in Medicine

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, mindfulness is the state of being aware of the present moment, and accepting one's thoughts and feelings in a calm manner.

Mindfulness has gained significant attention in the medical profession as a tool to combat stress, burnout, and mental fatigue. With increasing workloads, emotional pressures, and the fast-paced nature of healthcare, mindfulness offers an effective evidence-based approach to improving wellbeing, patient care, and decision-making among healthcare professionals.

“When you are out in the storm, it's hard to see the light beyond the clouds. You can't see the blue above all the clouds around you.”

"‘Mindfulness’ is a word that’s thrown around a lot these days, but for a good reason. One of the biggest issues with burnout is that it’s hard to recognise the signs when you’re engrossed in the stresses of day-to-day life. Take a moment each day to practice mindfulness, it’s a good habit all-round, but more importantly, it’ll help you assess your situation so you can plan ahead and make positive changes." Dr Juviraj Arulanandarajah told Medworld Institute.

Using insights from doctors we've spoken with, this case study examines the effectiveness of mindfulness in medicine, exploring real-world applications, research findings, and its impact on both doctors and patients.

Background and problem statement

Doctors and medical students experience high levels of stress and burnout, with studies indicating that up to 60% of physicians report symptoms of burnout at some stage in their careers. Chronic stress can lead to cognitive overload, emotional exhaustion, and decreased empathy—ultimately impacting patient care and job satisfaction. Traditional coping mechanisms such as time off or support groups can be effective but are often inaccessible due to time constraints. Mindfulness presents a solution that can be integrated into daily routines without requiring extensive time commitments.

"I have recently become quite fond of practicing mindfulness. I try to be in the moment, whether it is going for a walk or having a coffee break. It is being totally immersed at the moment, the sounds, the colours. Just enjoying life at that very moment with no distractions. I also love to socialise with non-medical friends; it is so great to engage with companies where there is no mention of faeces or sputum. I also love to write and journal, but my greatest pleasure is exercising." Dr Mariam Chaalan told Medworld Institute.

Research and evidence

Several studies support the effectiveness of mindfulness in medicine:

• A 2019 meta-analysis published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that mindfulness-based interventions significantly reduced stress and burnout among healthcare professionals.
• A Harvard neuroscientist studied long-term meditators and found that they had more grey matter in the insula, sensory regions, and frontal cortex. This suggests that mindfulness can enhance the senses and improve working memory and executive decision making.
• A Harvard-affiliated team at Massachusetts General Hospital studied the effects of meditation on the brain's grey matter over time. This was the first study to document these changes.
  

• A BMC Medical Education study suggests that mindfulness training can enhance well-being, improve stress management, and boost perceived productivity in FY doctors.
• A study by the University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia, explored how mindfulness enhances attention. Researchers analysed 81 healthy adults over 60 in a randomised controlled trial, assessing both immediate and long-term effects of an eight-week mindfulness program on attention and brain function.
• A review of mindfulness-based programs in medical education concluded that despite the different designs of those programs, their results were uniformly positive among medical students and healthcare professionals and involved increases in empathy, self-compassion, and ability to focus, as well as decreases in stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms (Mindfulness training in medical education as a means to improve resilience, empathy, and mental health in the medical profession, 2024)

Implementation in medical practice

‍Many hospitals and medical institutions have integrated mindfulness programs into their training and professional development, including:

1. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR): Programs like those at Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins provide structured mindfulness training to healthcare workers.
2. Daily mindfulness practices: Short guided meditations, mindful breathing exercises, and reflection sessions are increasingly being used in hospital settings.
3. Mindful communication: Training doctors to actively listen and engage with patients mindfully, leading to better patient satisfaction and improved diagnostic accuracy.

"There's so many different forms of mindfulness. I think it is just really important to find out what works best for you. And for me it was breathing... " Dan Lavin, sixth year medical student.

Ways to incorporate mindfulness into daily life, for busy professionals like doctors and medical students:

1. Mindful breathing (1–5 minutes)

• Take a few minutes to focus on your breath. Inhale deeply through your nose for four seconds, hold for four, and exhale slowly through your mouth for six seconds.This simple practice can quickly lower stress and improve focus.

2. The 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique

• Engage your senses to bring yourself into the present moment:
  • 5 things you can see
  • 4 things you can touch
  • 3 things you can hear
  • 2 things you can smell
  • 1 thing you can taste
• Great for high-pressure moments in a clinical setting.

3. Mindful eating

• Instead of rushing meals, slow down. Focus on each bite—the texture, flavour, and aroma. It helps with digestion, stress reduction, and overall wellbeing.

4. Box Breathing (Navy SEAL Technique)

• Breathe in for 4 seconds → Hold for 4 seconds → Exhale for 4 seconds → Hold for 4 seconds. This is a powerful tool for staying calm before high-stress situations like exams or patient interactions.

5. Walking meditation

• Whether walking between hospital rounds or taking a break, focus on each step. Notice how your feet feel against the ground and the rhythm of your steps.

6. Mindful listening

• When speaking with a patient, colleague, or friend, focus entirely on what they are saying—without thinking about your response. This enhances communication, empathy, and relationships.

7. One-minute body can

• Close your eyes and mentally scan your body from head to toe. Notice any areas of tension and consciously release them.

8. Journaling with intention

• At the end of the day, write down three things you are grateful for or reflect on an experience without judgment. This improves emotional processing and clarity.

9. Digital detox moments

• Set short periods during the day (e.g., 10 minutes after waking up and before bed) to avoid screens. This allows for mental clarity and reduces overstimulation.

10. Mindful handwashing (or scrubbing In)

• Instead of treating it as a routine, focus on the sensation of the water, the scent of the soap, and the movement of your hands. This is a small but effective way to introduce mindfulness into your daily medical practice.

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Practices outside of work like yoga, meditation, and exercise can also help you clear your mind and become more aware of your body and thoughts.

"Meditation provides a sense of peace, calm, and balance that benefits your overall health," Dr Peta Wright.

"Yoga has been shown to be beneficial for stress management. A common reason for people to take up yoga is to reduce their stress levels and feel more relaxed.  It has repeatedly been shown to reduce the body’s primary stress hormone cortisol (Gothe, Keswani and McAuley, 2016; García-Sesnich et al., 2017). It can also reduce perceived stress(Michalsen et al., 2005) whilst improving quality of life and mental wellbeing (Smith et al., 2007)." Dr Emma Thurston.

“I mainly de-stress with exercise, and that means making it a priority to go to the gym every morning and attend my boxing classes, circus acrobatics, or scuba dive.” Dr Maple Goh

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Challenges and considerations

‍While mindfulness offers substantial benefits, there are challenges in implementation:

• Time constraints: Many doctors feel they lack time for structured mindfulness practices.
• Skepticism: Some medical professionals remain unconvinced about mindfulness, viewing it as non-scientific.
• Sustainability: Ensuring long-term integration requires institutional support and cultural shifts within healthcare organisations.

‍Conclusion

‍Mindfulness has proven to be a highly effective tool in medicine, enhancing physician wellbeing, reducing burnout, and improving patient care. With increasing evidence supporting its benefits, integrating mindfulness practices into medical education and workplace culture could lead to a healthier, more resilient medical workforce. As hospitals and training institutions continue to adopt mindfulness-based approaches, the long-term impact on healthcare outcomes could be create a more sustainable future for healthcare.

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"I try to count my blessings. It's important to never lose insight. Everybody has something to be grateful for," Dr Anita Raja

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‍Key takeaways

• ‍Mindfulness reduces burnout and stress among doctors.
• It improves focus, emotional regulation, and patient interactions.
• Short, daily mindfulness exercises can fit into busy medical schedules.
• Institutions implementing mindfulness programs report enhanced wellbeing and patient care.

References

1. Goyal M, Singh S, Sibinga EMS, et al. Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Intern Med. 2014;174(3):357–368. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.13018
2. Matthias, C., Bu, C., Cohen, M. et al. The role of mindfulness in stress, productivity and wellbeing of foundation year doctors: a mixed-methods feasibility study of the mindful resilience and effectiveness training programme. BMC Med Educ24, 834 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-05810-7
3. Isbel, B., Weber, J., Lagopoulos, J. et al. Neural changes in early visual processing after 6 months of mindfulness training in older adults. Sci Rep10, 21163 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-78343-w
4. Vidal EIO, Ribeiro LFA, de Carvalho-Filho MA, Fukushima FB. Mindfulness training in medical education as a means to improve resilience, empathy, and mental health in the medical profession. World J Psychiatry. 2024 Apr 19;14(4):489-493. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v14.i4.489. PMID: 38659597; PMCID: PMC11036457.