The relationship between physicians’ self-kindness and professional fulfillment and the mediating role of personal resilience and work-home interference: A cross-sectional study

Bogerd, Rosa; Debets, Maarten P. M.; Keuken, Debby G; Hassink, Rutger J.; Henriques, José P.S.; Lombarts, Kiki M. J. M. H.

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0284507

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Studies report decreased empathy–a crucial aspect of compassion–among residents and early physicians [ 15 , 16 ]. This may endanger the quality of patient care and physicians’ well-being [ 1 , 8 , 11 ], as both self-compassion and compassion for others can mitigate burnout and increase physicians’ work engagement and job satisfaction [ 17 , 18 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Compassionate care through the eyes of patients and physicians: An interview study

Debets,

Jansen,

Diepeveen

et al. 2024

PLoS ONE

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Background Although compassion is a crucial element of physicians’ professional performance and high-quality care, research shows it often remains an unmet need of patients. Understanding patients’ and physicians’ perspectives on compassionate care may provide insights that can be used to foster physicians’ ability to respond to patients’ compassion needs. Therefore, this study aims to understand how both patients and physicians experience the concept and practice of compassionate care. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with eight patients and ten resident physicians at a University Medical Center in the Netherlands. Using thematic analysis, we separately coded patient and resident transcripts to identify themes capturing their experiences of compassionate care. This study was part of a larger project to develop an educational intervention to improve compassion in residents. Results For both patients and residents, we identified four themes encompassing compassionate care: being there, empathizing, actions to relieve patients’ suffering, and connection. For residents, a fifth theme was professional fulfillment (resulting from compassionate care). Although patients and residents both emphasized the importance of compassionate care, patients did not always perceive the physician-patient encounter as compassionate. According to residents, high workloads and time pressures hindered their ability to provide compassionate care. Discussion and conclusion Patients and residents have similar and varying understandings of compassionate care at the same time. Understanding these differences can aid compassion in medical practice. Based on the findings, three topics are suggested to improve compassion in residents: (1) train residents how to ask for patients’ compassion needs, (2) address residents’ limiting beliefs about the concept and practice of compassion, and (3) acknowledge the art and science of medicine cannot be separated.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Compassionate care through the eyes of patients and physicians: An interview study

Debets,

Jansen,

Diepeveen

et al. 2024

PLoS ONE

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Self-Compassion for Healthcare Communities: Exploring the Effects of a Synchronous Online Continuing Medical Education Program on Physician Burnout

Gardiner,

Pérez-Aranda,

Bell

et al. 2024

J Contin Educ Health Prof

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Introduction: Physician burnout is a common problem for which self-compassion training has shown positive effects. In this program evaluation, we explore the effects of a synchronous online continuing medical education program (Self-Compassion for Healthcare Communities, SCHC) to improve physician burnout and related outcomes. Methods: The SCHC program was delivered online via Zoom and consisted of six 1-hour weekly sessions to enhance self-compassion and well-being. The primary outcome was the “burnout” subscale of the Professional Quality of Life scale; compassion satisfaction, secondary traumatic stress, self-compassion, resilience activation and decompression, and job satisfaction were evaluated, and qualitative data were also collected. Results: A total of 116 physicians attended at least one session of the program, 48 of whom completed both the preprogram and postprogram surveys. The results showed that physicians experienced a reduction in their burnout levels (P = .001) as well as improvements in compassion satisfaction (P = .027), secondary traumatic stress (P = .001), self-compassion (P < .001), resilience decompression (P = .012), and job satisfaction (P = .038). Qualitative data, obtained from a total of 91 participants who attended at least one session, indicated that participants were satisfied with the SCHC program: they found it useful for learning to be compassionate with themselves and they highly valued having the chance to connect with other colleagues who experience similar struggles. Discussion: The live online SCHC program showed benefits on physician burnout and related outcomes such as compassion satisfaction, secondary traumatic stress, self-compassion, resilience decompression, and job satisfaction. Nonetheless, in addition to individual-focused well-being programs, systemic changes in health care delivery were also deemed necessary to decrease burnout.

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The relationship between physicians’ self-kindness and professional fulfillment and the mediating role of personal resilience and work-home interference: A cross-sectional study

Cited by 2 publications

References 59 publications

Compassionate care through the eyes of patients and physicians: An interview study

Compassionate care through the eyes of patients and physicians: An interview study

Self-Compassion for Healthcare Communities: Exploring the Effects of a Synchronous Online Continuing Medical Education Program on Physician Burnout

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