Predictors of quality of professional life and well-being of medical residents and interns: Role of gender and workplace spirituality

Background and aims: The well-being of physicians in their professional lives has a major influence on the quality of medical care and patient outcomes. This study explored how Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) and psychological well-being are connected to workplace spirituality (WPS) and demographic factors like age and gender. It also compared the average levels of ProQOL, psychological well-being, and WPS between medical residents and interns.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 230 medical residents and interns completed three questionnaires, including ProQOL, Ryff Scale Psychological Wellbeing-Short Form, and WPS. The data was analysed using Pearson correlation, independent t-test, ANOVA, and multiple linear regression modeling.

Results: Residents and interns had moderate ProQOL levels and higher work spirituality. However, medical residents scored lower in occupational spirituality and compassionate care fulfillment compared to interns while experiencing higher levels of emotional exhaustion and secondary mental strain. Gender disparities were significant, with women scoring higher in compassionate care fulfillment but lower in secondary mental strain. Regression analysis showed that occupational spirituality positively predicted professional, compassionate care fulfillment (B = 0.910, p < 0.001) but negatively predicted emotional exhaustion in both groups.

Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of understanding factors like gender and work spirituality to enhance the well-being and quality of care provided by medical residents and interns.