The Profound Moments Internal Medicine Doctors Experience in Patient Care

Internal medicine physicians frequently encounter moments during patient interactions that are deeply meaningful, often described as sacred moments. These are brief yet impactful connections where clinicians feel a strong sense of purpose, compassion, and spiritual fulfillment. Despite how common these experiences are—reported by about 68% of surveyed physicians—the conversation about them remains limited within the medical community. A recent study published in JAMA Network Open analyzed the prevalence and potential benefits of sacred moments among U.S. internal medicine doctors. The research involved 629 physicians with a median practice duration of 23 years. Findings revealed that a significant majority, approximately 68%, had experienced such moments with patients at least once. Interestingly, only about 4.5% of these physicians often or always discussed these experiences with colleagues, highlighting a gap in professional dialogue. The study identified factors like being highly spiritual and having a strong sense of purpose as strong predictors of experiencing sacred moments. Furthermore, physicians who experienced these moments more frequently tended to have lower levels of burnout, underscoring the potential mental health benefits. Discussing sacred moments with colleagues was also associated with decreased burnout symptoms. Experts suggest that fostering an environment where doctors can share and reflect on these meaningful experiences could enhance well-being and resilience among healthcare providers. Encouraging open conversations about sacred moments may serve as a valuable tool to combat burnout and promote a more compassionate healthcare culture.