MINDFULNESS AND THE ART OF COMMUNICATION IN END OF LIFE CARE

Abstract

This academic article aimed to present the application of the four foundations of right mindfulness; Kayanupassana (contemplation of the body), Vedananupassana (contemplation of feelings), Cittanupassana (contemplation of mind), and Dhammanupassana (contemplation of mental objects) in developing professional communication skills for nurses caring for end-of-life patients and their families. Effective communication served as a critical factor in establishing understanding and trust among nurses, patients, and families. Previous studies were found that nurses still lacked skills and confidence in communication, particularly regarding advance care planning, breaking bad news, and communicating about death. Right mindfulness according to Buddhist principles helped nurses maintain present-moment awareness, reduce stress, and enhance communication capabilities. This article presented the integration of the four foundations of mindfulness with the development of three essential communication skills: empathetic communication, communication regarding end-of-life care issues for planning purposes, and communication with families experiencing relationship difficulties. The article presented mindfulness training techniques and training programs that can be applied in actual practice. Results from using mindfulness in communication benefited patients and families by reducing stress and increasing satisfaction with care delivery, while simultaneously reducing nursing burnout, increasing confidence in communication, and promoting both professional and personal growth among nurses.