Improving Communication between Physicians and Their Patients through Mindfulness and Compassion-Based Strategies: A Narrative Review.

Communication between physicians and patients is a key pillar of psychosocial support for enhancing the healing process of patients and for increasing their well-being and quality of life. Physicians and other health professionals might benefit from interventions that increase their self-care, awareness, compassion, and other-focused concern, and reduce the chances of distress and burnout. There is substantial evidence for the contribution of different management strategies to achieve these aims. The goal of this article is to review the potential effect of mindfulness and compassion-based strategies for the improvement of physician-patient interactions. The acquisition of the necessary skills by physicians requires continuous education. Future research will be useful for identifying more evidence on the cost-effectiveness of this type of intervention.

Aprendizaje y práctica de la conciencia plena en estudiantes de bachillerato para potenciar la relajación y la autoeficacia en el rendimiento escolar / Learning Mindfulness for Enhancing Relaxation and Self-Efficacy on Academic Performance in High School Students

El objetivo este estudio fue analizar los efectos que produce un programa psicoeducativo de entrenamiento en conciencia plena (mindfulness) sobre la autoeficacia en el rendimiento escolar y los estados de relajación (Estados-R), en adolescentes estudiantes de bachillerato. Se realizó un diseño controlado y aleatorizado con un grupo experimental y un grupo control en lista de espera con medición pretest-postest. Los instrumentos de medida empleados fueron el Cuestionario de Cartagena (Cartagena, 2008) y el Cuestionario SRSI-3 (Smith, 2005a). Los análisis estadísticos muestran la existencia de mejoras significativas en el grupo experimental en comparación con el grupo control, en los niveles de autoeficacia en el rendimiento escolar, así como en los estados de relajación básica, conciencia plena y energía positiva; además, se obtuvo una reducción significativa en el grupo experimental en comparación con el grupo control en la dimensión de estrés percibido.

The aim of the present study is to analyze the effects of a mindfulness training psycho-educative program on self-efficacy in the academic performance and relaxation states in a sample of High School students. A randomized controlled trial with pretest-posttest measurements was used with an experimental group and a control group (waiting list). The Cartagena Questionnaire (Cartagena, 2008) and the SRSI Questionnaire (Smith, 2005a) were employed. The statistical analyses carried out on the studied variables showed significant improvements in favor of the experimental group compared with the control group on the levels of self-efficacy in academic performance, as well as on the states of basic relaxation, mindfulness and positive energy. The program also produced a significant reduction in the experimental group compared with the control group in the dimension of perceived stress.

Evaluación del burnout y bienestar psicológico en los profesionales sanitarios del País Vasco / Evaluation of burnout and psichological well-being a mong health professionals in the Basque Country

Se evaluaron los niveles del Síndrome de Quemarse por el Trabajo (SQT) y bienestar psicológico en el trabajo de 1275 profesionales sanitarios (619 Médicos, 430 ATS/DUE, y 208 Auxiliares) en el País Vasco. Los niveles generales del SQT y bienestar presentaron niveles medios. El 28.8% de la muestra estudiada presenta niveles altos de cansancio emocional, y solamente un 8% presenta niveles altos de bienestar psicológico. Los análisis correlacionales y de regresión mostraron que hay una serie de variables sociodemográficas y laborales como la sobrecarga, la falta de reconocimiento y desarrollo profesional, entre otras, que se relacionan significativamente con altos niveles del síndrome y bajos niveles de bienestar. El bienestar psicológico y la dureza emocional se relacionan con el SQT de forma inversa. Así mismo, el SQT predice significativamente una serie de consecuencias negativas a varios niveles: físico, psicológico, socio-familiar, y profesional. Por su parte, el bienestar psicológico y, especialmente, la dureza emocional amortiguan dichas consecuencias en diferentes proporciones. Se resalta la necesidad de que las organizaciones de salud pongan en marcha programas de intervención a nivel organizacional y personal. Error muestral 2.6%, nivel de confianza de 95%(AU)

A sample of 1,275 health professionals in the Basque Country (Spain) were assessed –of whom 619 were doctors, 430 nurses, and 208 assistant nurses. Assessment of burnout levels and psychological well-being through a burnout questionnaire (SQT) yielded average levels of burnout and wellbeing –28.8 percent of the sample showed high levels of emotional exhaustion, and only 8 percent exhibited high levels of psychological well-being. Correlation and multiple regression analyses indicated that socio-demographic and work variables such as work overload, lack of recognition and lack of career development are significantly related to high levels of burnout and low well-being levels respectively. As expected, psychological well-being and hardiness were negatively related to burnout. Also, burnout significantly predicted negative consequences at various levels (physical, psychological, social, family, and professional) whereas psychological well-being and more specifically hardiness reduced negative consequences. The need of intervention programs at both organizational and personal level is emphasized. The sample error was 2.6 percent and the confidence level 95 percent(AU)