JAMA: 2009-03-18, Vol. 301, No. 11, Author in the Room™ Audio Interview

Interview with Michael K. Kearney, MD, author of Self-care of Physicians Caring for Patients at the End of Life. Summary Points: 1. Burnout and compassion fatigue are fundamentally different phenomena. Understanding the difference is helpful for effective intervention. 2. Investments in self-awareness and self-care are sound business strategies that can be expected to reduce staff turnover and increase patient satisfaction. 3. Mindfulness meditation and reflective writing have both been shown to increase self-awareness and self-care. They are among a number of strategies that can be built into clinical practice to prevent burnout and compassion fatigue.