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Effects of Loving-Kindness Meditation on Doctors' Mindfulness, Empathy, and Communication Skills.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 04 12; 18(8)IJ

Abstract

BACKGROUND

In the context of increasing doctor-patient tensions in China, the objective of this study was to explore and examine the effects of loving-kindness meditation (LKM) on doctors' mindfulness, empathy, and communication skills.

METHODS

A total of 106 doctors were recruited from a hospital in China, and randomly divided into an LKM training group (n = 53) and waiting control group (n = 53). The LKM training group received 8 weeks of LKM training intervention, whereas the control group received no intervention. Three major variables (mindfulness, empathy, and communication skills) were measured before (pre-test) and after (post-test) the LKM training intervention.

RESULTS

The empathy and communication skills of the LKM group were significantly improved compared with those of the control group, but the level of mindfulness did not significantly change.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggested that LKM may contribute to improving physicians' empathy and communication skills. However, the mechanisms that underlie the effects of the LKM on mindfulness, empathy, and communication skills and other psychological constructs needs further elucidation.

Links

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Authors+Show Affiliations

Chen H
Graduate Institute of Business and Management, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan.
Liu C
Graduate Institute of Business and Management, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan. College of Aviation, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China.
Cao X
Clinical Neurocognitive Research Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China.
Hong B
Department of Psychiatry, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China.
Huang DH
Institute of Creative Design and Management, National Taipei University of Business, Taoyuan 22058, Taiwan.
Liu CY
Department of Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei 10507, Taiwan.
Chiou WK
Department of Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei 10507, Taiwan. Department of Industrial Design, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan.

MeSH

ChinaCommunicationEmpathyHumansMeditationMindfulnessPhysicians

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

33921271

Citation

Chen, Hao, et al. "Effects of Loving-Kindness Meditation On Doctors' Mindfulness, Empathy, and Communication Skills." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 18, no. 8, 2021.
Chen H, Liu C, Cao X, et al. Effects of Loving-Kindness Meditation on Doctors' Mindfulness, Empathy, and Communication Skills. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(8).
Chen, H., Liu, C., Cao, X., Hong, B., Huang, D. H., Liu, C. Y., & Chiou, W. K. (2021). Effects of Loving-Kindness Meditation on Doctors' Mindfulness, Empathy, and Communication Skills. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18084033
Chen H, et al. Effects of Loving-Kindness Meditation On Doctors' Mindfulness, Empathy, and Communication Skills. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 04 12;18(8) PubMed PMID: 33921271.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Effects of Loving-Kindness Meditation on Doctors' Mindfulness, Empathy, and Communication Skills. AU - Chen,Hao, AU - Liu,Chao, AU - Cao,Xinyi, AU - Hong,Bo, AU - Huang,Ding-Hau, AU - Liu,Chia-Yi, AU - Chiou,Wen-Ko, Y1 - 2021/04/12/ PY - 2021/03/14/received PY - 2021/04/08/accepted PY - 2021/4/30/entrez PY - 2021/5/1/pubmed PY - 2021/5/22/medline KW - communication skills KW - empathy KW - loving-kindness meditation KW - mindfulness JF - International journal of environmental research and public health JO - Int J Environ Res Public Health VL - 18 IS - 8 N2 - BACKGROUND: In the context of increasing doctor-patient tensions in China, the objective of this study was to explore and examine the effects of loving-kindness meditation (LKM) on doctors' mindfulness, empathy, and communication skills. METHODS: A total of 106 doctors were recruited from a hospital in China, and randomly divided into an LKM training group (n = 53) and waiting control group (n = 53). The LKM training group received 8 weeks of LKM training intervention, whereas the control group received no intervention. Three major variables (mindfulness, empathy, and communication skills) were measured before (pre-test) and after (post-test) the LKM training intervention. RESULTS: The empathy and communication skills of the LKM group were significantly improved compared with those of the control group, but the level of mindfulness did not significantly change. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that LKM may contribute to improving physicians' empathy and communication skills. However, the mechanisms that underlie the effects of the LKM on mindfulness, empathy, and communication skills and other psychological constructs needs further elucidation. SN - 1660-4601 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/33921271/Effects_of_Loving_Kindness_Meditation_on_Doctors'_Mindfulness_Empathy_and_Communication_Skills_ DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -