title: Mindfulness-based stress reduction for GPs: results of a controlled mixed methods pilot study in Dutch primary care.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Burnout is highly prevalent in GPs and can have a negative influence on their wellbeing, performance, and patient care. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) may be an effective intervention to decrease burnout symptoms and increase wellbeing.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To gain insight into the feasibility and effectiveness of MBSR on burnout, empathy, and (work-related) wellbeing in GPs.
  
  
  METHODS
  A mixed methods pilot study, including a waiting list-controlled pre-/post-study and a qualitative study of the experiences of participating GPs in the Netherlands.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were sent questionnaires assessing burnout, work engagement, empathy, and mindfulness skills, before and at the end of the MBSR training/waiting period. Qualitative data on how GPs experienced the training were collected during a plenary session and with evaluation forms at the end of the course.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty Dutch GPs participated in this study. The MBSR group reported a greater decrease in depersonalisation than the control group (adjusted difference -1.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -2.72 to -0.21, P = 0.03). Dedication increased more significantly in the MBSR group than in the control group (adjusted difference 2.17, 95% CI = 0.51 to 3.83, P = 0.01). Mindfulness skills increased significantly in the MBSR group compared with the control group (adjusted difference 6.90, 95% CI = 1.42 to 12.37, P = 0.01). There was no significant change in empathy. The qualitative data indicated that the MBSR course increased their wellbeing and compassion towards themselves and others, including their patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study shows that MBSR for GPs is feasible and might result in fewer burnout symptoms and increased work engagement and wellbeing. However, an adequately powered randomised controlled trial is needed to confirm the study's findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry;
authors.forename: Hanne
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Verweij
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry;
authors.forename: Ruth C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Waumans
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry;
authors.forename: Danique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Smeijers
authors.affiliation: Department of Primary and Community Care;
authors.forename: Peter L B J
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Lucassen
authors.affiliation: Department for Health Evidence, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: A Rogier T
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Donders
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice and Elderly Care Medicine, EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Henriëtte E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: van der Horst
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry;
authors.forename: Anne E M
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Speckens
mesh_terms: D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D064866:Mindfulness / Q000379:methods*; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D058007:Physicians, Primary Care / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: burnout, professional; empathy; general practice; general practitioners; mindfulness
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