Dissertation
The impact of mindfulness strategies on advanced practice provider burnout in the urgent care setting
University of Iowa
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), University of Iowa
Spring 2025
Abstract
Background: Advanced practice providers (APPs) in urgent care face high rates of burnout due to demanding workloads, emotional fatigue, and provider shortages. Burnout negatively impacts job satisfaction, productivity, and patient care quality. Mindfulness-based interventions have shown promise in reducing stress and improving well-being among healthcare professionals.Purpose: This project evaluated the impact of the Healthy Minds Program, a mobile-based mindfulness intervention, on burnout and mindfulness awareness among APPs in an urgent care setting. Goals included a 10% reduction in burnout scores, improved mindfulness knowledge in 70% of participants, and regular mindfulness practice in 50% of participants. Methods: A 14-week evidence-based practice project was conducted at an academic health system s urgent care clinics. APPs voluntarily participated in the intervention, which included use of the Healthy Minds mobile app, guided meditation videos, and newsletters. Burnout was assessed using the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI), and mindfulness was measured with the Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory (FMI). Participants also provided self-reports on mindfulness definitions, usage and perceived benefits in post-intervention surveys. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired t-tests. Findings: Seven participants completed both pre- and post-intervention surveys. While results did not reach statistical significance, all CBI subscale scores decreased, indicating an 11.5% reduction in total burnout. FMI scores slightly increased, with 71.4% of participants demonstrating improved mindfulness knowledge. The majority (71.4%) practiced mindfulness at least twice per week, and all reported satisfaction with the intervention. Discussion: This project supports the feasibility and acceptability of mindfulness interventions for reducing APP burnout in urgent care. Although limited by small sample size, findings align with existing evidence that mindfulness can enhance provider well-being. Future initiatives should explore structured, scalable mindfulness strategies with larger cohorts to strengthen outcomes and support long-term sustainability.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The impact of mindfulness strategies on advanced practice provider burnout in the urgent care setting
- Creators
- Megan Tadlock - University of Iowa
- Contributors
- Amalia Gedney-Lose (Chair) - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Project Type
- Poster
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Date degree season
- Spring 2025
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- Number of pages
- 1 page
- Copyright
- Copyright 2025 Megan Tadlock
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Nursing; Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects
- Record Identifier
- 9984841526402771
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