Is wellbeing at work related to professional recognition: a pilot intervention

The aim of this pilot study was to design, implement and evaluate an intervention aiming at increasing professional recognition among health-care professionals working in primary care. Professional recognition was operationalized at three levels: self, co-workers and patients/recipients of care. Thirty-six (n = 36) residents and consultants working in primary health-care settings in Greece participated in the study. Emotional states of participants were measured before and after the intervention with the Self-Assessment Manikin, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, and an open-ended question. Results showed significantly higher levels of dominance after the intervention (t(35) = -3.014, p= .005), higher levels of excitement (t(37) = -2.158, p= .038), feelings of being proud (t(37) = -2.485, p= .018) and being inspired (t(37) = -2.490, p= .017). Furthermore, the analysis of open-ended responses using the Pleasure-Arousal-Dominance model showed that participants reported higher levels of positive emotions and lower levels of arousal emotions after receiving the intervention (χ²(4, N = 36) = 35.526, p < .001). To our knowledge, this is the first intervention targeting professional recognition implemented in health-care settings. Results indicate significant changes on the emotional states of participants after receiving the intervention. Future research is needed to examine the feasibility of positive psychology interventions in primary health-care settings.