Document Type (Journals)
Original Research
Abstract
Healthcare professionals, including occupational therapy practitioners, are experiencing epidemic levels of burnout. Professional organizations have prioritized research and programming to address burnout. This study evaluated the feasibility of an evidence-based virtual mindfulness continuing education program, Mindfulness at Work, and the mindfulness strategies participants learned and embedded into their workday. This program was developed and facilitated by an occupational therapist who is also a registered advanced yoga teacher. A total of 11 occupational therapy practitioners experiencing burnout met with the facilitator for once-weekly synchronous sessions over three weeks. OT practitioners were taught mindfulness strategies to use throughout their workday. Participants practiced the strategies at work between sessions and discussed their experiences during subsequent sessions. Aspects of the feasibility of both the program and the mindfulness strategies were measured post-only. Participant burnout was measured pre and post. Participants rated the virtual mindfulness continuing education program and mindfulness strategies as acceptable, appropriate, and feasible. There were significant decreases in pre- and post-test burnout scores during this preliminary evaluation. Attendance and retention rates were high. Eligibility criteria challenged recruitment capability.
Biography
Susan M. Persia, OTD, OTR/L, CASI, RYT500, Assistant Professor at Widener University, blends clinical expertise in pediatrics, sensory integration, and women’s health with yoga and mindfulness practices to foster well-being in her teaching, clinical work, and research. She is a certified yoga teacher with 20+ years of experience in mindfulness and yoga.
Amy Carroll, OTD, OTR/L is an Associate Professor in the Thomas Jefferson University Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program. Her teaching and professional interests are in knowledge translation, program development and evaluation, the scholarship of teaching and learning, and doctoral mentorship.
Declaration of Interest
The authors report no declarations of interest.
Recommended Citation
Persia, S. M., & Carroll, A. P. (2024). Feasibility of Mindfulness at Work: A Continuing Education Program for Occupational Therapy Practitioners Experiencing Burnout. Journal of Occupational Therapy Education, 8 (1). Retrieved from https://encompass.eku.edu/jote/vol8/iss1/13
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