Feasibility and acceptability of modified MBSR for hospital employees experiencing stress during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This letter presents a study which examines the feasibility and acceptability of modified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for hospital employees experiencing stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. To our knowledge, this is the first project examining the implementation of an MBSR program for hospital employees during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. This project took place at a large, urban academic medical center. Employees were recruited online and included physicians, nurses, housekeeping, laboratory technicians, and administrators. Sessions were scheduled after day workers’ shifts. The institution’s IRB determined the project to be exempt. Analyses indicated substantial improvements in participants’ perceived stress (ES = 0.45, p = .006). Improvements were also significant in compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress (ES = 0.41, p = .011; ES = 0.31, p = .051; ES = 0.35, p = .028 respectively).In conclusion, this modified, online MBSR course was shown to be feasible and acceptable for hospital employees during a crisis situation. Those completing the program practiced the mindfulness exercises, responded to surveys, maintained that the course was worth recommending, and provided positive and frequent feedback.