Well-Being and Professional Fulfillment in Mohs Surgeons: An Explanatory Sequential Mixed-Method Design Study

Background: There are limited data evaluating specific themes of well-being and professional fulfillment in Mohs surgeons.

Objective: To identify factors that drive occupational distress and those that promote well-being and professional fulfillment among Mohs surgeons.

Methods: This is an explanatory sequential mixed-method study, using semistructured individual interviews. Common drivers of physician well-being and fulfillment were identified based on the independent assessment of the coding in the interview transcripts.

Results: This study reports the following qualitative themes: (1) gratitude for the chosen profession and relationships, (2) unrealistic standards of perfection that may have contributed to past career success but are unattainable and create emotional burden, and (3) ability to practice in a manner aligned with personal values promotes professional fulfillment.

Conclusion: This study suggests that gratitude, self-compassion, and ability to practice in a manner aligned with personal values promote well-being and professional fulfillment in Mohs surgeons. Notably, we found that unrealistic standards of perfection and personal-organization practice incongruences contribute to burnout.