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EDITORIAL
Tait D. Shanafelt, MD
See also p 12 8 4 .
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EDITORIAL
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EDITORIAL
a n d to o v e rw h e lm th o se c u r r e n tly n e a r th e ir limits.
Although many physicians may be tempted to respond to
this challenge by retreating from work (eg, more time off,
reduced scope of practice, retirement), the study by Krasner and colleagues 15 dem onstrates that training physi
cians the art of mindful practice has the potential to pro
mote physician health through work. Physicians continue
to c o n tro l the m o st sacred and m eaningful aspect of
medical practice the encounter with the patient and the
reward that comes from restoring health and relieving
suffering. Reminding physicians of this fact and helping
them recognize and e nhance the m eaning they derive
from the practice of medicine may help protect against
burnout and promote patient-centered care for the ben
efit of both physicians and their patients.
Financial Disclosures: Dr Shanafelt reported receiving salary support fo r
directing the Mayo Clinic Department o f Medicine Program on Physician W ell
being.
Additional Contributions: David Steensma, MD, Mayo Clinic, provided a critique
of this editorial without compensation.
REFERENCES
1. Shanafelt T, Sloan J, Habermann T. The well-being o f physicians. Am 1 Med.
2003;114(6):513-517.
2. Maslach C, Jackson S, Leiter M. Maslach Burnout Inventory Manual. 3rd ed.
Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press; 1996.
3. West CP, Huschka M M , Novotny PJ, et al. Association of perceived medical
errors with resident distress and empathy: a prospective longitudinal study. JAMA.
2006,296(9): 1071 -1078.
4. Crol R, Mokkink H, Smits A, et al. Work satisfaction o f general practitioners
and the quality o f patient care. Fam Pract. 1985;2(3):128-135.
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