Burnout is common among primary care physicians, and is often linked to poorer quality care for patients.  But a continuing medical education course involving mediation and communication exercises could help doctors stay well.

A primary care physician for over 30 years, Dr. Michael Schneider is well aware of the quickening pace and increasing distractions of practicing medicine today. 

"It's something lost when we have phones ringing, consultants calling, computer screens flashing,” he says.

With up to 60 percent of physicians reporting symptoms of burnout, Dr. Michael Krasner of the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry theorized that symptoms of emotional exhaustion, low sense of accomplishment and trouble connecting with patients might be helped by a course on "mindfulness" -- defined as the ability to pay attention on purpose, in the present moment and without judgment. 

“Stressors sometimes become so overwhelming that we fail to see the good work that we're doing,” Krasner says.

Seventy primary care physicians in the Rochester, NY area took the year-long course aimed at improving mindful communication through meditation, exercises based on clinical experiences, group discussions and themed presentations. 

The research is featured this week in JAMA, Journal of the American Medical Association and found participants saw both short- and long-term improvement in well-being. 

Dr. Schneider feels that his participation has provided him with skills to better handle whatever the day brings.

Longer term follow-up on this group of doctors could provide insight on the effects of "mindful communication" on other facets of physician burnout, including quality of life, medical errors and attrition from practice.