Training Mindfulness Facilitators: Evaluating the VA CALM Program at the Veterans Health Administration

Objectives As the demand for Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) expands, there is a growing need for training healthcare professionals to deliver these interventions. To meet this demand, VA CALM (Veterans Affairs - Compassionate Awareness Learning Module) was developed and evaluated. Methods Participants (n = 74, female = 73%) were a national sample of VA clinicians including psychologists (48%), social workers (33%), physicians (10%), nurses (5%), and other clinicians (4%) who joined the year-long training program delivered via hybrid learning platforms including live video and in-person instruction. The evaluation was a single-arm, repeated measures design comparing outcomes at baseline, at the halfway point of training, and immediately post-training. Outcomes from standardized measures included burnout, competence, mindfulness, self-compassion, and stress. Participant self-efficacy was also assessed. Results Random intercept regressions were performed examining linear and quadratic time contrasts as predictors of study outcome change trajectories. The pattern of change was largely linear, where there were statistically significant and large magnitude (r > .50) increases at each observation period for burnout (r = -0.52), competence with one-on-one interventions (r = 0.68) and groups (r = 0.76), mindfulness (r = 0.61), perceived stress (r = -0.51), self-compassion (r = 0.58), and selfefficacy (r = 0.83). The linear model indicates changes in study outcomes were cumulative over the course of the training. Conclusions VA CALM is an effective training program for mindfulness facilitators and appears to confer additional participant benefits, even when participants have significant experience with mindfulness.