Integrating Mindfulness Into the Patient-Centered Medical Home (Phase 2)

This study builds on a pilot study that investigated the impact of Mindfulness Training for
Primary Care on anxiety, depression, stress, and chronic illness self-management in primary
care patients receiving care in an urban, community, multi-cultural safety net healthcare
system. The current comparative effectiveness randomized controlled trial takes place in a
larger sample, and investigates the impact of a refined MTPC curriculum on specific aspects
of self-regulation such as action plan initiation, while examining potential mechanisms of
change, including self-efficacy, perceived control, mindfulness, self-compassion, emotion
regulation, and body awareness. Participants randomized to MTPC are compared with
participants who are randomized to a low-dose comparator condition and receive a 1-hour
introduction to mindfulness with a referral to community mindfulness resources. Outcome
assessments are conducted at baseline and study weeks 8-10.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Current CHA patient with an enrolled CHA primary care doctor.

- CHA patients 18 years of age and older.

- Able to tolerate and participate in interviews and engage in all procedures.

- Able to give written consent in English OR willing and able to provide consent and
complete assessments through a professional language translator when necessary.

- Diagnosis eligible to be covered by insurance for group visits (e.g., anxiety
disorder, depression, or adjustment disorder related to chronic illness, pain, etc.).

Exclusion Criteria:

- Any cognitive impairment that precludes informed consent.

- Patients who, in the opinion of the Principal Investigator, pose an imminent risk of
suicide or danger to self or others.

- Likelihood of potential incarceration such as a conviction or pending charges that may
potentially result in imprisonment.

- Previous enrollment or randomization of treatment in the present study within the 12
months.

- Behaviors that may cause disruption to a mindfulness group.

- Patients with symptoms of psychosis, thought disorder, and/or severe mental illness,
including schizophrenia, schizoaffective, bipolar disorder, or a current severe
episode of major depressive disorder.

- Lack of insurance coverage for group psychotherapy may preclude participation in
groups.

- Patients in their third trimester of pregnancy who foresee conflicts that preclude
their commitment to completing all activities.

- Patients with highly unstable medical problems that put them at a high risk of
hospitalization.