Measuring Self-Reported Well-Being of Physicians Using the Well-Being Thermometer: Cohort Study
Abstract BackgroundAdvancements in medical science have focused largely on patient care, often overlooking the well-being of health care professionals (HCPs). This oversight has consequences; not only are HCPs prone to mental and physical health challenges, but the quality of...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
JMIR Publications
2025-01-01
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| Series: | JMIR Formative Research |
| Online Access: | https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e54158 |
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| Summary: | Abstract
BackgroundAdvancements in medical science have focused largely on patient care, often overlooking the well-being of health care professionals (HCPs). This oversight has consequences; not only are HCPs prone to mental and physical health challenges, but the quality of patient care may also endure as a result. Such concerns are also exacerbated by unprecedented crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. Compared to other sectors, HCPs report high incidence of stress, depression, and suicide, among other challenging factors that have a significant negative impact on their well-being.
ObjectiveGiven these substantial concerns, the development of a tool specifically designed to be used in clinical settings to measure the well-being of HCPs is essential.
MethodsA United Kingdom–based cross-sectional pilot study was carried out to measure self-reported well-being in a cohort of 148 physicians, using the newly developed well-being thermometer. The aim of the tool is to allow respondents to develop an individual sense of “well-being intelligence” thus supporting HCPs to have better insight and control over their well-being and allow insights into how to manage it. The tool consists of 5 well-being domains—health, thoughts, emotions, spiritual, and social. Each domain can be measured individually or combined to produce an overall well-being score.
ResultsThe tool demonstrated good internal consistency; the Cronbach α in this study was 0.84 for the total scale.
ConclusionsResults from this cohort demonstrated that the well-being thermometer can be used to gather intelligence of staff well-being. This is a promising new tool that will assist HCPs to recognize their own well-being needs and allow health care organizations to facilitate change in policies and practices to reflect a better understanding of staff well-being. |
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| ISSN: | 2561-326X |