Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Burnout and Mindfulness Meditation: A Quality Improvement Project

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this quality improvement project is to increase awareness about burnout in primary care NPs and educate providers about evidence-based interventions to mitigate feelings and experiences of burnout. The goal is to introduce an intervention that is widely accessible, efficient, and user-friendly to prevent burnout. Background Burnout is a state of emotional exhaustion that commonly affects healthcare workers. It is characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and decreased personal accomplishment. Primary care nurse practitioners are a growing workforce and are vulnerable to experiencing burnout; however, current literature is lacking regarding burnout and effective interventions for this population. Mindfulness is a practice that focuses on self-awareness and acceptance of the present moment. Due to its accessibility and usability, it can be an effective method to combat burnout. Methods Primary care nurse practitioners from Arizona Community Physicians were recruited via the provider newsletter to participate in two weeks of daily, 10-minute mindfulness meditation using the Healthy Minds Program mobile application. Participants were asked to complete the Maslach Burnout Inventory for Human Services Survey for Medical Personnel before and after completing two weeks of mindfulness meditation. Results Three participants completed the surveys and interventions. Mean scores for each Maslach Burnout Inventory subscale (depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, and personal accomplishment) improved after just two weeks of mindfulness practice, although these differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions Burnout is prevalent yet under-researched in primary care nurse practitioners. This quality improvement project sought to identify and mitigate burnout through mindfulness meditation. Further research is needed to assess the full impact of mindfulness on burnout in primary care nurse practitioners.