Sacred Moment Experiences Among Internal Medicine Physicians

Area of Science:

• Medical Humanities
• Physician Well-being
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Sacred moments, defined as meaningful connections in healthcare, may positively impact clinician well-being.
• Understanding the prevalence and impact of these moments is crucial for physician support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine how common sacred moments are among physicians.
• To identify factors associated with experiencing sacred moments.
• To assess the relationship between sacred moments and physician burnout.

Main Methods:

• A national survey of 629 internal medicine physicians was conducted.
• The survey assessed physician demographics, burnout using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and the occurrence/frequency of sacred moments.
• Multivariable logistic regression analyzed associations between sacred moments and burnout.

Main Results:

• Over 67% of physicians reported experiencing sacred moments with patients.
• Being highly spiritual and having a strong sense of purpose were associated with a higher likelihood of experiencing sacred moments.
• Experiencing sacred moments frequently and discussing them with colleagues were linked to reduced odds of burnout.

Conclusions:

• Sacred moments are a prevalent aspect of medical practice for internal medicine physicians.
• While common, discussing these meaningful experiences with colleagues is infrequent.
• Interventions promoting the experience and discussion of sacred moments may enhance physician well-being and combat burnout.