Assessment of burnout, resilience, and thriving among academic health professionals: findings from an international study

• Main Authors: Nahas, Abdul Rahman Fata, Elnaem, Mohamed Hassan, Mubarak, Naeem, Abou Khatwa, Merna, Barakat, Muna, Faller, Erwin Martinez, M. Kassem, Lamyaa, Ramatillah, Diana Laila, Jaber, Ammar, Akkawi, Muhammad Eid, Mohammed Al-Shami, Abdulkareem, Chandran, Sarath, Mohamed, Islam, Jack, Iain, Abouelhana, Ahmed, Courtenay, Aaron, E. Elrggal, Mahmoud
• Format: Article
• Language: English; English
• Published: Frontiers 2024
• Subjects: RA790 Mental Health. Mental Illness Prevention
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/112767/2/112767_Assessment%20of%20burnout%2C%20resilience%2C%20and%20thriving%20among%20academic.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/112767/3/112767_Assessment%20of%20burnout%2C%20resilience%2C%20and%20thriving_Scopus.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/112767/; https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1366612/full
• Institution: Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia

Introduction: Burnout, resilience, and thriving significantly impact academics, particularly in health professions, where responsibilities are extensive. This study aimed to explore these constructs among academic health professionals, examining sociodemographic and work-related factors influencing these outcomes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among academic health professionals via web-based professional networks from August 2022 to February 2023. Validated tools were used, and descriptive and inferential statistics were applied. Results: 505 participants were included, predominantly female (63%), with a mean age of 38.15 ± 9.6 years. High burnout was reported by 10.9%, 13.7% experienced exhaustion, and 6.3% were disengaged. Resilience and thriving were moderate at 59.2 and 51.9%, respectively. Age correlated negatively with burnout (r = −0.131, p = 0.003) but positively with resilience (r = 0.178, p < 0.001). Females reported higher exhaustion (p = 0.014), while males showed greater resilience (p = 0.016). Instructors exhibited lower resilience compared to assistant professors (p < 0.001) and associate professors (p < 0.001). Those at public universities reported higher exhaustion than those at private universities (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Variable levels of burnout, resilience, and thriving were observed among academic health professionals, influenced by sociodemographic and work-related factors. Interventions targeting resilience and thriving may mitigate burnout risk and enhance engagement among academics in health professions.