Keep the fire burning: a survey study on the role of personal resources for work engagement and burnout in medical residents and specialists in the Netherlands

Abstract

ObjectivesThe high prevalence of burnout among medical residents and specialists raises concerns about the stressful demands in healthcare. This study investigated which job demands and job resources and personal resources are associated with work engagement and burnout and whether the effects of these demands and resources differ for medical residents and specialists.DesignIn a survey study among residents and specialists, we assessed job demands, job resources, personal resources, work engagement and burnout symptoms using validated questionnaires (January to December 2017). Results were analysed using multivariate generalised linear model, ordinary least squares regression analyses and path analyses.SettingFive academic and general hospitals in the Netherlands.ParticipantsA total number of 124 residents and 69 specialists participated in this study. Participants worked in the fields of pediatrics, internal medicine and neurology.ResultsThe associations of job and personal resources with burnout and work engagement differed for residents and specialists. Psychological capital was associated with burnout only for specialists (b=−0.58, p<0.001), whereas psychological flexibility was associated with burnout only for residents (b=−0.31, p<0.001). Colleague support (b=0.49, p<0.001) and self-compassion (b=−0.33, p=0.004) were associated with work engagement only for specialists.ConclusionThis study suggests that particularly personal resources safeguard the work engagement and lessen the risk of burnout of residents and specialists. Both residents and specialists benefit from psychological capital to maintain optimal functioning. In addition, residents benefit from psychological flexibility, while specialists benefit from colleague support. Personal resources seem important protective factors for physicians’ work engagement and well-being. When promoting physician well-being, a one-size-fits-all approach might not be effective but, instead, interventions should be tailored to the specific needs of specialists and residents.

Triggering and protective factors of burnout in medical resident physicians in a lower-middle-income country: A cross-sectional study

“…However, two studies have reported that burnout and depersonalization are more likely to occur in men rather than women [ 23 , 24 ]. Similarly, two studies have reported that burnout is more prevalent in females, though one study did have an over-representation of females [ 25 , 26 ]. Our study has shown a female preponderance in burnout and emotional exhaustion.…”

“…These factors have also been stressed by Hariharan et al in their review that work-specific and person-specific demands are the major factors behind burnout [ 9 ]. Solms et al also reported that increased workload, work-family conflict, and lack of autonomy predispose residents to develop burnout [ 25 ]. The major triggering factors identified in our study with borderline significance is conflict between home and work and difficulty in staying on schedule.…”

“…Studies have also shown the impact of protective factors in reducing burnout. Availability of personal resources, good colleague support, and having psychological flexibility greatly helps in the prevention of burnout [ 9 , 25 ]. Olson et al has emphasized the importance of exercise and physical activity by mentioning that increased body mass index was associated with higher odds of burnout.…”

Work Engagement and Associated Factors Among Dental Nurses in China

“…A higher level of psychological exibility was also shown to be associated with greater work engagement and satisfaction [44]. A study of work engagement in 124 residents and 69 experts in ve hospitals in the Netherlands reported that residents ' work engagement was associated with psychological exibility, while experts ' work engagement was associated with colleague support [45], which indicated that everyone's work engagement may be different and be affected by many factors. The hierarchical regression analysis in this study showed a signi cant positive correlation (b=0.339, p<0.001) between work engagement and psychological exibility, which was similar to the ndings of other studies [46].…”

Psychological Flexibility and Its Relationship to Distress and Work Engagement Among Intensive Care Medical Staff

“…In addition to intervention research, previous studies have linked work engagement to personal factors within health care (e.g., Fiabane et al, 2013 ). A recent article addressing psychological flexibility and work engagement among physicians ( Solms et al, 2019 ) also showed psychological flexibility to be associated with work engagement and burnout in residents but not in specialists, which implies differential challenges in work demand that should be addressed in future research.…”