Application of character strengths, work-engagement and burnout: implications for health and well-being in medical education

Abstract

High rates of burnout, illness and dissatisfaction among physicians show the need for change of medical education and training. Aim of this analysis was to examine relations between application of character strengths (ACS), well-being and health of medical students in their first year (n=167), clinical practical year (n=67) and doctors in internship (n=92). Regression analysis showed a medium effect on well-being, a small effect of the ACS on mental health and no effect on physical health. Mediation models were tested hypothesizing that work-engagement and burnout are mediating the ACS-mental health and ACS-well-being links. Results showed that both factors (partially) mediated the direct links, whereby differences between the samples were identified. Furthermore we found a trend that well-being and work-engagement was steadily decreasing whereas burnout was increasing over the education period. Results indicate the importance of promoting the individual character strengths to foster well-being and to prevent burnout, in particular during medical internship.