The Emergency Department can be an incredibly stressful place to work. In the setting of increasing patient demand, decreased time & resources, and the rise of “burn-out” among clinicians, how can you continue to provide great care?
According to Dr. Mica Mitchell, through mindfulness.

Dr. Mica (Me-ka) Mitchell (she/her/hers) is the founder of Creatively Meek. Creatively Meek is your source for mindful encouragement. She is a pediatric physical therapy and a mindfulness guide. As a mindfulness guide, she is passionate about helping others implement mindfulness in all areas of their lives. She is able to facilitate customized mindfulness exercises for individuals and groups.
What is Mindfulness?
As defined by the Oxford dictionary, mindfulness is “a mental state achieved by focusing on one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique,” or “the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something.”
Super. So, what does that do for me in the Emergency Department when I’m running around with my hair on fire? How does this help with the accumulated trauma of working in this setting throughout a pandemic?
According to Dr. Mitchell, mindfulness isn’t all meditation and rainbows. It’s being present in the moment, whatever comes and whatever goes whether that is joy or despair. “Understand that mindfulness is being present in the moment, non-judgmental. Once you practice mindfulness it just kind of becomes who you are. It doesn’t mean everything is easy.”
Dr. Mitchell also shares that mindfulness is not a replacement for medical or mental health services, but can be an excellent adjunct to that care.
How do we use this for ourselves?
Sometimes in the Emergency Department, I really don’t want to be mindful. I want to avoid the stress, check out of the human suffering, be somewhere else both mentally and physically. Sometimes it takes all we have to rally and make it through the door. How does being mindful come in to play and push us to the next step?
Some techniques that Dr. Mitchell suggests include taking a brief pause and a mindful breath. During that period, be honest. Be honest with how you feel, what your body is experiencing, and reflect. Part of this reflection should guide you to know what you can and cannot handle. Another strategy might be completing a brief body scan.
During an emergency you may not be able to just tap out, but you can exercise your mindfulness muscles while you work through this. Acknowledge what is happening, how you feel, and what you need. The key is to be non-judgmental of yourself no matter how you feel or what you need.

How do we use this for our patients?
Whew. Can you imagine how generous we could be with our patients if we come from a centered and non-judgmental space when listening, interacting, and caring for them?
We talk about our trauma as healthcare workers, but many patients have been harmed, traumatized, and stigmatized as well. In coming from a mindful space Dr. Mitchell shares, “It’s just about humanity, it is really seeing the person in front of you, as a human that you share similar experiences of love and joy, the desire to seek life goals. It helps you to then relate to your patients.”
In building therapeutic alliance with your patients, using mindfulness can help you understand your intentions, let go of ego, and approach your patient from a collaborative space.
Resources
Step one – Make the time to learn about mindfulness. There are many techniques and practices.
Step two – Access resources! There are many mindfulness apps and content available. I often use Headspace at night and find this has many great options. However, Dr. Mitchell provides specific content that has also assisted me in understanding and implementing simple techniques in the moment. Take a look at her resources here.
Step three – Can you implement wider change? Share your practice with friends, family, co-workers, and patience.
Step four – Give yourself and others around you grace as you learn.
“We are not always perfect. We are learning on this journey. Mistakes teach us something. Give yourself kindness as you explore this growth mindset. Let go and breathe.”
-Dr. Mica Mitchell
For More
To continue learning from Dr. Mitchell you can hear our watch our full interview. You can also find Dr. Mitchell on Instagram @CreativelyMeek & Twitter @CreativelyMeek & @MicaMitchell. Give her a follow, you won’t regret it.

