Professional Quality of Life and Metacognition in Pakistan’s Hospital Teams: Moderation of Socio-Cognitive Mindfulness

Abstract

Socio-cognitive mindfulness and metacognition are crucial in healthcare services that affect professional quality of life and, in turn, can affect patient outcomes. Socio-cognitive mindfulness relates to embracing novelty in healthcare situations through flexibility and engagement within medical work routines, through using expert executive cognitive control. Despite these psychological processes, there are presently no certified mindfulness programs that can bring improvement for health staff. This study explored the moderating impact of socio-cognitive mindfulness on the relationship between metacognition and professional quality of life in hospital team members of Pakistan. For this purpose, a purposive sample of 200 staff from two major hospitals in Lahore was recruited. Self-report questionnaires of socio-cognitive mindfulness, metacognition, and professional quality of life were completed. The findings showed that the hospital team members remain under stress that impacts professional quality of life. If there were higher levels of socio-cognitive mindfulness, it resulted in improved compassion satisfaction and perceived support. Hence, it lowered the levels of burnout, moral distress, and secondary trauma stress in health teams.  Furthermore, socio-cognitive mindfulness emerged as a significant moderator between metacognition and professional quality of life across different professional roles. Thus, the study indicates towards inclusion for certified mindfulness programs tailored for healthcare settings.