Work-Related Well-Being Among Dutch Cardiologists - A National Survey

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Occupational Health
• Psychology

Background:

• Cardiologist well-being is crucial for healthcare quality.
• Previous research has not holistically examined the positive and negative aspects of well-being in cardiologists.
• Understanding determinants of well-being is essential for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a comprehensive examination of cardiologists' well-being, encompassing both positive and negative dimensions.
• To identify key factors influencing professional fulfillment, work exhaustion, and interpersonal disengagement among cardiologists.
• To provide evidence-based recommendations for enhancing well-being in this medical specialty.

Main Methods:

• A national, multicenter study utilizing a self-administered, web-based questionnaire.
• Descriptive statistics (frequencies) were used to assess scores on three well-being indicators.
• Multiple regression analyses were performed to determine the predictors of well-being dimensions.

Main Results:

• Cardiologists reported high professional fulfillment (mean 3.85/5) but average work exhaustion (2.25/5) and interpersonal disengagement (2.04/5).
• Workload, work-home interference, and team atmosphere significantly predicted negative well-being dimensions.
• Autonomy positively predicted professional fulfillment, while physician-patient interactions, person-job fit, and resilience influenced both positive and negative dimensions.

Conclusions:

• Dutch cardiologists exhibit high professional fulfillment but average levels of work exhaustion and interpersonal disengagement.
• Interventions should focus on increasing energy-providing work aspects and strengthening individual resilience.
• Addressing workload, improving team dynamics, and enhancing work-life balance are critical for improving cardiologist well-being.