Longitudinal Program for Physicians

In 2009, we published results of a year-long program in mindful communication in which community primary care physicians demonstrated enhanced mindfulness, empathy, and improvements in burnout and mood states. Similar results have since been replicated at other institutions.  Three key factors in the program’s success were the formation of a learning community, specific mindfulness skills and permission to take time to engage in self-development and self-care. We have presented our programs at dozens of national and international conferences on medical education, clinician well-being, quality and safety, and communication in health care.