JAMA Netw Open

Sacred moments may protect against physician burnout

June 10, 2025

Study details: A national cross-sectional survey of randomly selected U.S. internal medicine physicians (median 23 years in practice) assessed the prevalence and correlates of "sacred moments"—meaningful, memorable, and sometimes spiritual connections with patients. The survey measured burnout using the Maslach Burnout Inventory and evaluated factors such as spirituality, sense of purpose, and frequency of discussing sacred moments with colleagues.

Results: Of 1,421 randomly selected internal medicine physicians, 629 completed the survey (44.3% response rate). Nearly 68% of respondents reported experiencing sacred moments with patients; 4.5% often or always discussed these experiences with colleagues. Physicians who identified as very spiritual (odds ratio [OR], 2.23), or who reported a strong sense of purpose in life (OR, 1.94) or work (OR, 1.94) were significantly more likely to experience sacred moments (all P < .001). Experiencing sacred moments often (OR, 0.29) and discussing them with colleagues (OR, 0.62) were associated with reduced odds of burnout.

Clinical impact: Recognizing and reflecting on sacred moments—and fostering a culture where they can be shared—could enhance well-being and resilience in clinical practice.

Source:

Ameling J, et al. (2025, May 30). JAMA Netw Open. Sacred Moment Experiences Among Internal Medicine Physicians. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40445616/