SHBC1584
T.F.M. YEE1, W.P.J. LIM1, T.V. TNG1, K.Y.J. YAP1
Tan Tock Seng Hospital1
Mindfulness is a mental state that arises from paying attention in a particular way to the present moment. Many studies have demonstrated the positive effects of mindfulness on healthcare professionals’ wellbeing.
We aim to explore the effects of teaching mindfulness to healthcare professionals at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) during the Covid-19 pandemic.
A bespoke mindfulness program using peer to peer teaching, was taught to TTSH Clinical staff in the Division of Central Health from February 2020 to October 2020.
The program consists of mindfulness exercises and other thematic talks held for 60 minutes fortnightly over a four-month period.
Surveys were administered before, immediately after and 12 months after the first talk to monitor participants’ wellbeing and stress levels and mindfulness technique adopted.
Approximately 43 participants attended the sessions. 28(65.1%) participants completed all 3 surveys and 11(25.6%) participants completed 2 surveys.
The majority of participants were female of Chinese ethnicity, between the ages of 30-39 years old.
80.6% reported improvement in overall well-being and reduction in stress immediately after the course.
12 months later, 77% continue to practice some form of mindfulness exercise.
The most frequently used techniques are mindful breathing, loving kindness meditation and walking meditation.
70% of those with no previous exposure to mindfulness, now practice regularly.
Peer to peer mindfulness training improved the wellbeing and decreased the stress levels of TTSH healthcare professionals during the Covid-19 pandemic. Mindfulness sessions can be considered for all healthcare institutions during difficult times.
