Dr Virginia Lien is a medical doctor, psychotherapist and retreat-giver with a keen interest in the holistic integration of mind, body and spirit for each person's unique journey towards healing and wholeness. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) at the University of Oxford, and co-founded The Mindful Compassion Project to heighten awareness and knowledge of psychoeducation and self-care. Her work focuses on addressing stress and burnout in caregiving professions including healthcare, special needs education and social services.

Presentation Synopsis 
Who is Caring for the Carer? Taking the Pulse of Wellness in Healthcare Providers

Quality patient care derives from a robust healthcare system with well-trained professionals working as a team to meet the daily challenges brought by vulnerable patients.

Empathy and compassion are qualities of care that facilitate healing-- bringing patients from suffering to a sense of integrity and wholeness, whether their disease is cured or even improving. (Hutchinson and Dobkin, 2009)

What is the cost of empathy for the healthcare provider? How can healthcare professionals be constantly responsive and compassionate towards patients' sufferings, while replenishing personal resources for their own health, well-being, resilience and flourishing? Can stress and burnout be managed through mindful self-care? How does organisational support for clinician well-being make a difference? This experiential presentation brings together a wealth of research findings and practices on mindful self-care for the caregiving profession.