Improving performance and happiness among healthcare workers through a body-mind approach in a healthcare setting in Sri Lanka

Issue title: Special Section: Ergonomics and Work in Sri Lanka

Guest editors: K. Jayaratne, C. De Silva and M. Danansuriya

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Gunathunga, M.W.

Affiliations: Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Kynsey Road, Colombo 8, Sri Lanka. Tel.: +94718022178; Fax: +94112677765; E-mail: wasantg@hotmail.com

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Cognitive ergonomics in the work place has become a serious concern with the need to keep people happy at work while maintaining high productivity. Hence, it is worth exploring how the outcomes of lifestyle-based mind development programs can bring about happiness in workplace while keeping productivity and quality of services high. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present work was to test a body-mind technique to improve cognitive ergonomics in a health care work setting. METHODS: Principal investigator explored many body-mind techniques before selecting the present method of “insight meditation” which he mastered before applying it on a group of scholars who made it a part of their lifestyle. Later it was introduced to a sample of 500 volunteer health personnel in the western province to generate a ripple effect of happiness at work. RESULTS: Initial qualitative information indicated improvement of some aspects of cognitive ergonomics among those who practiced it. There was a relief from stress during the practice sessions and improvements in the commitment to work and in team spirit. A demand was observed for further training. A quasi-experimental study to test the improvements is underway. CONCLUSIONS: Health workers showed interest in the mind training and potential benefits to individuals and the institutions were observed.

Keywords: Cognitive ergonomics, meditation, ripple effect, mental health, workers’ health

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-162395

Journal: Work, vol. 55, no. 2, pp. 305-309, 2016