Psychophysical well-being and physical activity of Polish doctors

Sławomir Wojczyk¹Józefa Dąbek^2,3*Julia Bijoch⁴Magdalena Szynal³

• ¹Department of Vascular and General Surgery, Provincial Specialist Hospital No. 4 in Bytom, Bytom, Poland
• ²Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
• ³Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Silesian, Poland
• ⁴Collegium Medicum - Faculty of Medicine, WSB University, Dąbrowa Górnicza, Poland

Background: Psychophysical well-being is a multidimensional concept involving positive emotions, life satisfaction, good health, and meaningful social relationships, essential for overall happiness and life success. Maintaining this well-being relies heavily on a healthy lifestyle, which significantly reduce health risks and improve quality of life. For doctors, whose work involves high mental and physical demands, psychophysical well-being is crucial, as stress and burnout can impair their health and the quality of patient care. The aim of the study was to assess the psychophysical well-being of Polish doctors and to analyzed physical activity of Polish doctors related to their psychophysical well-being. Methods: The study involved 832 (100%) physicians from hospitals located in the Silesian Voivodeship. To assess psychophysical well-being, with the authors' consent, the theoretical D scale of the Psychosocial Working Conditions Questionnaire was used to measure the perceived level of well-being and 2 factors (empirical scales D1 and D2) regarding physical and mental well-being (together described as psychophysical well-being). Physical activity was assessed using the shortened International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Results: About 20% had a low level of psychophysical well-being, especially physical well-being. Men were characterized by significantly higher psychophysical well-being (p<0.001), physical well-being (p<0.001) and mental well-being (p<0.001) than women, similarly to older doctors (psychophysical well-being p=0.02, mental well-being p<0.001) and those working in surgical wards (psychophysical well-being p<0.01, mental well-being p<0.01). Less than half of the doctors declared regular physical activity, mainly of low intensity, with women more often having a low level of activity (p<0.001). No significant correlation was found between the level of psychophysical well-being and physical activity. Conclusions: The psychophysical well-being of Polish doctors was unsatisfactory, especially among women, younger doctors, those with less work experience, and those in nonsurgical departments, and it was not related to their physical activity. The physical activity levels were average, with lower activity observed in female doctors and those not working on duty.There is a need to improve doctors' physical activity habits and working conditions through educational and support programs.