JAMA: 2009-09-23/30, Vol. 302, No. 12, Author in the Room™ Audio Interview

Interview with Michael S. Krasner, MD, author of Association of an Educational Program in Mindful Communication With Burnout, Empathy, and Attitudes Among Primary Care Physicians. Summary Points: 1. Burnout is prevalent among physicians, and has untoward effects not only on the physicians themselves but also on the quality of the care they provide to their patients. 2. Mindful Communication training among a group of primary care physicians resulted in not only improvements in burnout and measures of well-being, but also improvements in markers of relationship-centered care to their patients. 3. Mindful Communication should be considered among a menu of continuing medical education opportunities available for physicians to enhance well-being, meaning, and interpersonal relationships in the practice of medicine.