Impact of a Mindfulness Intervention on Hospice Care Worker Safety and Well-Being

Abstract

Hospice care workers are exposed to the hazards associated with in-home care in uncontrollable environments as well as occupational stress related to caring for terminally ill patients and their families. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of an abbreviated mindfulness intervention to improve hospice care worker occupational safety performance and well-being. This study used a single-group pre-post design to pilot test an 18-hour mindfulness training as an intervention on self-reported safety performance and well-being among 13 hospice care workers in Colorado. Participants reported statistically increased levels of safety compliance, one component of safety performance, and subjective well-being following the abbreviated mindfulness intervention in comparison to baseline. The findings that mindfulness training can improve self-reported safety compliance and well-being among hospice workers support further testing of the use of abbreviated mindfulness trainings within hospice care organizations to promote worker safety and well-being.