More than half of all physicians report feeling burned out, while patient distrust in the healthcare system remains a critical concern. A new paper suggests a single, often-overlooked factor could help address both: brief flashes of genuine human connection between doctors and patients. Researchers are calling these interactions “sacred moments.”
The study, published in the *Journal of General Internal Medicine*, proposes that these fleeting instances of connection may not only shield doctors from burnout but also give patients a greater sense of purpose and strengthen their bond with caregivers. The authors argue that healthcare systems should actively create conditions that allow these moments to flourish.
What Makes a Moment ‘Sacred’?
The term “sacred moment” describes a brief period where a person experiences transcendence, boundlessness, deep interconnectedness, and spiritual emotion—no religious belief required. It’s a moment that feels bigger than the routine of the day.
Psychologist Kenneth Pargament first coined the term while observing hospital chaplains, and research suggests these moments are more common than one might think. One study estimated that nearly 68% of internal medicine physicians have experienced one with a patient.
Two decades of research have identified five core qualities of a sacred moment: a sense of something extraordinary breaking into daily life, a shift in the perception of time or space, a feeling of arriving at a deep truth, a profound connection with another person, and emotions like awe or elevation.
While the word “sacred” has religious roots, the paper notes it triggers fewer religious associations than words like “holy” for many people. Patients, physicians, and nurses have all readily connected with the term, which speaks to a deeper wish for care that treats a person as more than just a diagnosis.
A Two-Way Street of Benefits
The benefits of these moments appear to flow in both directions.
For **clinicians**, sacred moments seem to guard against burnout, add profound meaning to their work, and build a heightened capacity for empathy. Notably, one study found a link between experiencing these moments and a more active social life outside of work, suggesting the positive effects may extend beyond the hospital walls.
For **patients**, these moments act as a buffer against stress. They have been linked to fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety, a stronger sense of purpose, greater satisfaction with their care, and a better relationship with their doctors.
The Modern Medical Culture is Crowding Them Out
Despite their power, many forces in modern healthcare work against these moments. A culture focused on rapidly treating isolated problems, heavy patient loads, staff shortages, and a lack of training in meaningful conversations all serve to crowd out genuine connection. Clinicians, too, sometimes build their own emotional walls as a defense mechanism.
In contrast, certain situations tend to spark them: end-of-life care, moments of patient crisis, or simply a clinician who is fully present. However, a striking national survey revealed that even when doctors have these experiences, they rarely share them with colleagues—often for lack of a safe outlet.
A Bold Proposal: ‘Sacred Moment Rounds’
The researchers don’t just identify the problem; they propose a solution. Their central recommendation is an initiative called **Sacred Moment Rounds**. This would bring clinicians together in a safe, moderated space—guided by clinical staff and spiritual care practitioners—to share and reflect on meaningful patient experiences. The goal isn’t to force or manufacture these moments, but to help clinicians recognize, honor, and carry forward the ones that are already happening.
The paper also calls for system-level changes: reasonable caseloads, adequate staffing, leadership that values time spent with patients, and physical spaces designed with natural light, music, and art.
On an individual level, clinicians are encouraged to practice “compassionate witnessing”—being present with a patient’s emotions without immediately trying to fix them. Even a simple act like practicing mindfulness during hand hygiene before entering a patient’s room is cited as a way to become more available for a sacred moment.
Looking Ahead
It’s important to note that this paper is a conceptual model, synthesizing existing research rather than presenting new findings. The authors acknowledge significant gaps; research has been concentrated in therapy settings and a handful of healthcare environments, and future studies are needed across diverse cultures.
The theory also points to a fascinating frontier: trauma. People who experience psychological injury during medical procedures may avoid future care. Sacred moments, the paper theorizes, might work in the opposite direction, building a person’s sense of connection and meaning to counter those negative effects.
As writer and cancer patient Anatole Broyard wrote in a 1992 essay: “I’d like my doctor to scan me, to grope for my spirit as well as my prostate. Without some such recognition, I am nothing but my illness.”
Sacred Moment Rounds won’t solve hospital staffing shortages or rewrite budgets, but the researchers behind this model are betting that giving clinicians a place to acknowledge the profound moments already occurring in their day could be a powerful first step toward healing the healers.