Journal Article

Self-valuation

Menon, Nikitha K., Rowe, Susannah G., Shanafelt, Tait D., Dudley, Jessica C., Geisler, Cory Z., Trockel, Mickey T., Bohman, Bryan D., Stewart, Miriam T., Hamidi, Maryam S.

2019

Overview

To measure self-valuation, involving constructive prioritization of personal well-being and a growth mindset perspective that seeks to learn and improve as the primary response to errors, in physicians and evaluate its relationship with burnout and sleep-related impairment. We analyzed cross-sectional survey data collected between July 1, 2016, and October 31, 2017, from 5 academic medical centers in the United States. All faculty and medical-staff physicians at participating organizations were invited to participate. The self-valuation scale included 4 items measured on a 5-point (0-4) Likert scale (summative score range, 0-16). The self-valuation scale was developed and pilot tested in a sample of 250 physicians before inclusion in the multisite wellness survey, which also included validated measures of burnout and sleep-related impairment. Of the 6189 physicians invited to participate, 3899 responded (response rate, 63.0%). Each 1-point score increase in self-valuation was associated with −1.10 point lower burnout score (95% CI, −1.16 to −1.05; standardized β=−0.53; P<.001) and 0.81 point lower sleep-related impairment score (95% CI, −0.85 to −0.76; standardized β=−0.47; P<.001), adjusting for sex and medical specialty. Women had lower self-valuation (Cohen d=0.30) and higher burnout (Cohen d=0.22) than men. Lower self-valuation scores in women accounted for most of the sex difference in burnout. Low self-valuation among physicians is associated with burnout and sleep-related impairment. Further research is warranted to develop and test interventions that increase self-valuation as a mechanism to improve physician well-being.

• Publisher: Elsevier Inc