Editorial: Why mindfulness matters in medical education

Abstract

Mindfulness can be described as a generic life-skill that has an endless number of applications. It is both a form of meditation and a way of living. It involves the training of present-moment attention and also the attitude with which we pay attention – one of curiosity, acceptance, openness and compassion. Historically, the ‘soft’ subject of mindfulness or meditation was marginalised as just a ‘relaxation exercise’ and would not have been seen as an integral part of medical education with its strong emphasis on learning the ‘hard’ biomedical sciences and producing ‘battle-hardened’ future medical practitioners. But for good reason that perception is changing. This article will briefly outline why mindfulness is now increasingly seen as a necessary and integral part of training the modern medical practitioner.