For many years, the Abramson Cancer Center has offered weekly mindfulness practice sessions on Rhoads 3 for patients. While some patients were able to take part, others couldn’t make it, for a variety of reasons, e.g., they weren’t in their rooms, they had visitors, or they were just too tired.
Now, thanks to a partnership between members of the Penn Program for Mindfulness and HUP Video Services, mindfulness sessions are available for inpatients around the clock, on channel 16 of HUP’s closed circuit television system. Each video includes an introduction about mindfulness from Michael Baime, MD, program director, and four brief guided practices recorded by the program’s teaching faculty. The video also includes verbal prompts and calming video imagery.
Mindfulness practice helps patients manage physical, emotional, or mental discomfort associated with illness. “It teaches us how to step away from reactivity, worry and old habits,” Baime said. “It helps us make better choices and to remain calm and balanced in difficult situations.”