Next Article in Journal
Occurrence of Delirium during ECMO Therapy in a Critical Care Unit in Poland—A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study
Previous Article in Journal
De-Sexualizing Partner Notification: A Qualitative Study on Chinese Young Adults with Chlamydia
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
IJERPH
Volume 18
Issue 8
10.3390/ijerph18084033
ijerph-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Effects of Loving-Kindness Meditation on Doctors’ Mindfulness, Empathy, and Communication Skills

by
Hao Chen
1,†,
Chao Liu
1,2,†,
Xinyi Cao
3,
Bo Hong
4,
Ding-Hau Huang
5,
Chia-Yi Liu
6 and
Wen-Ko Chiou
6,7,*
1
Graduate Institute of Business and Management, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
2
College of Aviation, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China
3
Clinical Neurocognitive Research Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
4
Department of Psychiatry, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
5
Institute of Creative Design and Management, National Taipei University of Business, Taoyuan 22058, Taiwan
6
Department of Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei 10507, Taiwan
7
Department of Industrial Design, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(8), 4033; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18084033
Submission received: 14 March 2021 / Accepted: 8 April 2021 / Published: 12 April 2021
Browse Figures
Versions Notes

Abstract

Background: In the context of increasing doctor–patient tensions in China, the objective of this study was to explore and examine the effects of loving-kindness meditation (LKM) on doctors’ mindfulness, empathy, and communication skills. Methods: A total of 106 doctors were recruited from a hospital in China, and randomly divided into an LKM training group (n = 53) and waiting control group (n = 53). The LKM training group received 8 weeks of LKM training intervention, whereas the control group received no intervention. Three major variables (mindfulness, empathy, and communication skills) were measured before (pre-test) and after (post-test) the LKM training intervention. Results: The empathy and communication skills of the LKM group were significantly improved compared with those of the control group, but the level of mindfulness did not significantly change. Conclusions: The results suggested that LKM may contribute to improving physicians’ empathy and communication skills. However, the mechanisms that underlie the effects of the LKM on mindfulness, empathy, and communication skills and other psychological constructs needs further elucidation.
Keywords: loving-kindness meditation; mindfulness; empathy; communication skills loving-kindness meditation; mindfulness; empathy; communication skills

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Chen, H.; Liu, C.; Cao, X.; Hong, B.; Huang, D.-H.; Liu, C.-Y.; Chiou, W.-K. Effects of Loving-Kindness Meditation on Doctors’ Mindfulness, Empathy, and Communication Skills. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 4033. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18084033

AMA Style

Chen H, Liu C, Cao X, Hong B, Huang D-H, Liu C-Y, Chiou W-K. Effects of Loving-Kindness Meditation on Doctors’ Mindfulness, Empathy, and Communication Skills. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18(8):4033. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18084033

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chen, Hao, Chao Liu, Xinyi Cao, Bo Hong, Ding-Hau Huang, Chia-Yi Liu, and Wen-Ko Chiou. 2021. "Effects of Loving-Kindness Meditation on Doctors’ Mindfulness, Empathy, and Communication Skills" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 8: 4033. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18084033

APA Style

Chen, H., Liu, C., Cao, X., Hong, B., Huang, D.-H., Liu, C.-Y., & Chiou, W.-K. (2021). Effects of Loving-Kindness Meditation on Doctors’ Mindfulness, Empathy, and Communication Skills. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(8), 4033. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18084033

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop