Prior studies show that physicians who qualify as GPs are at risk of exiting the profession within a couple of years, due to burnout and lack of resilience.
In a new study, published in the journal BJGP Open, researchers at the University of Warwick touted the effectiveness of mindfulness in helping trainee GPs build resilience and cope with burnout.
Their new study involved 47 GP trainees in the second and third-year of training. Surveys were administered to assess well-being, resilience, and burnout among the participants.
The survey also aimed at assessing their level of interest in mindfulness programs for coping with stress.
Nearly 65 percent of the trainees had experienced burnout related to their stressful work environments. Of all the participants, close to 85 percent reported interest in mindfulness practices.
The study reaffirms the desire for greater well-being and resilience support among GP trainees exhibiting excessive stress.
“This study casts light on the importance of addressing the wellbeing of doctors as part of their GP training,” researchers commented in a news release.
“This study confirms the degree of stress and burnout that GP trainees experience, and their desire for greater wellbeing and resilience support,” the findings concluded.
“Results of this research shaped the Mindful Practice Curriculum programme, which was later provided to this cohort of trainees.”
