An evaluation of participant experience of “Kindness Works Here”, a kindness and self-compassion workshop for healthcare and non-healthcare professionals

O’Byrne, Emma; Murphy, Mike; Kells, Mary; Power, Anne; O’Brien , Siobhan; McElhiny, Teresa

An evaluation of participant experience of “Kindness Works Here”, a kindness and self-compassion workshop for healthcare and non-healthcare professionals

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An evaluation of participant experience...essionals.pdf(1.05 MB)

Published Version

Date

2021-06-09

Authors

O’Byrne, Emma

Murphy, Mike

Kells, Mary

Power, Anne

O’Brien , Siobhan

McElhiny, Teresa

Publisher

University of Galway

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the experience of a workshop based on kindness and self-compassion theory amongst healthcare and non-healthcare professionals in Ireland. Methods: Participants were recruited for the workshop through the health service and a mental health promotion initiative, to which a variety of workplaces are affiliated. All participants completed a 3-hour workshop based on kindness, compassion and self-compassion literature. A bespoke quantitative and qualitative feedback survey was completed post workshop. Qualitative data was compiled and analysed using thematic analysis. Results: The workshop’s content was reported as relevant to the workplace by 84.8% of participants and considered useful at work by 85.3%. A further 74.8% of participants reported it was very likely that they would implement kindness strategies at work in future. Thematic analysis revealed three master themes; Everyone should be exposed to these ideas; Making the science of kindness relevant and understandable; Experiencing a culture of kindness. Discussion: Increasingly research on kindness and compassion in healthcare suggests that education and promotion of these concepts serves to improve professionals’ and organisations’ well-being. Kindness Works Here was perceived as relevant and acceptable. Future research should focus on working with management, creating a culture of kindness in workplaces and larger randomised evaluations of the workshop.

Keywords

Self-compassion , Kindness , Compassion , Workplace , Well-being , Evaluation

Citation

O’Byrne, E., Murphy, M., Kells, M., Power, A., O’Brien, S. and McElhiny, T. (2021) 'An evaluation of participant experience of “Kindness Works Here”, a kindness and self-compassion workshop for healthcare and non-healthcare professionals', Clinical Psychology Today. Available at: https://clinicalpsychologytoday.wordpress.com/2021/06/09/an-evaluation-of-participant-experience-of-kindness-works-here-a-kindness-and-self-compassion-workshop-for-healthcare-and-non-healthcare-professionals/ (Accessed: 4 July 2023)