Chronic illnesses affect millions of people worldwide (Anderson, 2010; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015; WHO, 2005a). Chronic illnesses, and the people who have them, are seen as an economic drain because of healthcare costs and time lost at work (Bloom et al., 2011). Many of these people suffering from chronic illness are members of marginalized and underserved populations (Kung, Hoyert, Xu, & Murphy, 2008; National Conference of State Legislatures, 2013; WHO 2005a).

Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) has been established as an effective and sustainable intervention for people living with one or more chronic illnesses (e.g., Carlson, Speca, Patel, & Goodey, 2003; Kabat-Zinn et al., 1992, 1998; Morone, Greco, & Weiner, 2008; Rosenzweig et al., 2010; Speca, Carlson, Goodey, & Angen, 2000). The Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Implementation for Chronic Illnesses (MBSR-ICI) program planning and evaluation (PPE) model seeks to provide a detailed and adaptive framework, based in mindfulness and basic goodness, for PPE practitioners implementing an MBSR program for participants with chronic illnesses.

This is the first PPE model designed in support of MBSR and to incorporate mindfulness within the PPE process as a way to connect to, understand, and empower participants and stakeholders; foster multicultural awareness; and create a transformative and responsive PPE process.