Mindfulness-based interventions with social workers and the potential for enhanced patient-centered care: A systematic review of the literature.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to review the existing literature on mindfulness qualities, practices, and the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) among social workers, as well as their relationship to patient-centered care.
Results Summary
The study found that mindfulness may enhance clinical skills, reduce burnout, and increase job satisfaction among social workers, similar to its benefits in other professional fields. It also suggested mindfulness could help reduce stress, improve relationships, and foster self-reflection for patient-centered care.
Population
Social workers, with comparisons to medical providers like physicians and nurses.
Effective Dosage
Not available
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mindfulness | increase | clinical skills | social workers | - | may enhance | #1 |
mindfulness | decrease | burnout | social workers | - | reduce | #2 |
mindfulness | increase | job satisfaction | social workers | - | increase | #3 |
mindfulness | increase | patient and family relationships | health care field | - | appears integral to | #4 |
mindfulness | increase | personal resilience | health care field | - | appears integral to | #5 |
mindfulness | decrease | stress | medical providers, such as physicians and nurses | - | may help in reducing | #6 |
mindfulness | increase | relationships | medical providers, such as physicians and nurses | - | enhancing | #7 |
mindfulness | increase | self-reflection required to provide patient-centered care | medical providers, such as physicians and nurses | - | fostering | #8 |
The use of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) is well documented in the mental health, medical, and education literature. There is minimal research on the use of mindfulness with social workers. As demonstrated in other professional and helping fields, mindfulness may enhance clinical skills, reduce burnout, and increase job satisfaction among social workers. In the health care field mindfulness appears integral to patient and family relationships and personal resilience. The evolving and expanding role of hospital social workers may lead to increased work stress and greater demands from both the medical system and patients and families. Research with medical providers, such as physicians and nurses, suggests mindfulness may help in reducing stress, enhancing relationships, and fostering the self-reflection required to provide patient-centered care. We systematically reviewed the existing literature to begin understanding both mindfulness qualities and practices and the effectiveness of MBIs among social workers as well as the relationship of mindfulness to patient-centered care.