Being present: Examining the efficacy of an Internet Mantram Program on RN-delivered patient-centered care

Abstract

Background The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted nurses’ compassionate presence during stressful conditions. Strategies to reduce workplace stress are needed. Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate a stress reduction strategy, an Internet-based Mantram Repetition Program (MRP), for nurses caring for hospitalized Veterans. Methods A one group pre-/post-test design was used to assess change in nurses’ perceived outcomes after participating in the MRP. A post-test-only design was used to assess hospitalized Veterans’ perceptions of nursing presence and satisfaction with care. Qualitative interviews were used to supplement quantitative data. Findings Patients perceived high levels of presence and satisfaction with care. Post MRP, nurses perceived increased mindfulness, compassion satisfaction, spiritual well-being, and nursing presence. Increased mindfulness was associated with greater compassion satisfaction and less burnout. Discussion For nurses working on the front lines of patient care, the potential for experiencing stress and burnout is a reality. Participating in a MRP could lessen these effects and facilitate nursing presence.

The Role of Spirituality and Religiosity in Healthcare During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Integrative Review of the Scientific Literature

“…Regarding healthcare professionals, 16% of the articles studied the influence of spirituality on health professionals who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic, of which 75% included only nurses (Kim et al, 2021 ; Kostovich et al, 2021 ; Rajabipoor Meybodi & Mohammadi, 2021 ), and the remaining 25% did not specify the type of healthcare professionals they included (Prazeres et al, 2020 ).…”

“…There was a significant increase in peace as a dimension of spiritual well-being, in compassion satisfaction as a dimension of professional quality of life, and in mindfulness. The perceptions of the presence of nurses by the patients were very high and the patients also demonstrated high levels of satisfaction with the general nursing care (Kostovich et al, 2021 ).…”

“…It is interesting to note that some interventions designed to promote spiritual and religious beliefs (e.g. mantra repetition programs (Kostovich et al, 2021 )) appeared to be effective for nurses during the pandemic, as this was in line with the interventions offered before the pandemic for those professionals such as the creation of a good spiritual work environment (Wu et al, 2020 ), prayer (Ibrahim et al, 2020 ) or spirituality training programs on well-being and spiritual integrity (Yong et al, 2011 ). In this regard, previous studies have pointed to the need to include religiosity and spirituality education programs for undergraduate and graduate students, providing relevant training courses for nurses that allow them to learn the skills necessary to provide spiritual care and to handle their spiritual needs (de Diego Cordero et al, 2019 ; Moreira-Almeida et al, 2014 ).…”

“…Strengthening these coping mechanisms may improve psychological well-being during the pandemic and reduce long-term negative consequences. Nurses in good mental health will be able to provide safe high-quality patient care 18.5/22 STROBE Kostovich et al ( 2021 ) To evaluate a stress reduction strategy, an-Internet-based Mantram Repetition Program (MRP), for nurses caring for hospitalized Veterans Cross-sectional study ( n = 15 nurses and their patients n = 22) Scales: ProQOL, PONS, PONS-RN, MAAS, SWB, CSQ-8 and SPNCS Patients described high levels of presence and great satisfaction with the care provided. After the MRP, the nurses perceived greater mindfulness, spiritual well-being and presence.…”

Higher frequency of mantram repetition practice is associated with enhanced clinical benefits among United States Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder

“…Moreover, there is not an explicit requirement to practice for a given length of time or to repeat one’s mantram for a set number of repetitions. MRP has also been adapted for internet delivery, with initial evidence for feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy (Kostovich et al, 2021 ; Vannini, McLean, Bormann, & Lang, 2021 ). In contrast, TM, which also involves the repetition of a mantra, is expected to be practiced as a 20-min formal seated meditation at least twice per day.…”