News: ‘Sacred’ moments with patients associated with less physician burnout, study suggests

According to a new survey study published in JAMA Network Open, the impact of “sacred moments”—i.e., brief periods of meaningful connection between a clinician and patient—is overwhelmingly positive.

The researchers of the study conducted a randomized national survey of 629 United States internal medicine physicians from June 23, 2023, to May 8, 2024. Of those 629 physicians, 60.9% were male, 48.5% were hospitalists, and 49.7% were primary care providers.

“68% reported experiencing a sacred moment with a patient,” the authors noted, “and physicians who considered themselves very spiritual or possessing a strong sense of purpose in life or work had increased odds of experiencing a sacred moment.”

Moreover, they continued, physicians who experienced sacred moments often, and were able to discuss them with colleagues, reported less burnout.

“Given these potential benefits, understanding sacred moment experiences and encouraging discussion with professional colleagues should be encouraged,” the authors concluded.

Editor’s note: To read the JAMA Network Open article, click here.