Mindfulness - for ourselves and our patients

     A qualitative study examined the effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on stress & quality of life of nine 45-55 year old nurses. Five themes emerged: "strengthening of interpersonal communication through social support, increased personal awareness through becoming more mindful and reflective, a spiritual awakening, effective ways of dealing with stress, and living life in balance by taking hold of one’s life."
     Frisvold MH et al. Living life in the balance at midlife: lessons learned from mindfulness. West J Nurs Res 2012; 34(2): 265-78.

     "accumulating evidence ... suggests that mindfulness training, when used as part of an integrated approach to chronic disease management, may help alleviate associated psychological distress and improve patients’ quality of life."
       Page JP. Mindfulness training: an adjunctive role in the management of chronic illness? Med J Aust 2012; 196(2): 569-71.
 
     Not surprisingly, Canada's Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons' "2009 Objectives of Training in Psychiatry included the requirement for introductory knowledge in 'mindfulness training'." 
         Abbey SE. Mindfulness and psychiatry. Can J Psychiatry 2012; 57(2): 61-2.

Eliza & Gretel enjoying Conrad Beach, Nova Scotia