title: The transition to hospital consultant and the influence of preparedness, social support, and perception: A structural equation modelling approach.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Insight into the transition from specialist registrar to hospital consultant is needed to better align specialty training with starting as a consultant and to facilitate this transition.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study investigates whether preparedness regarding medical and generic competencies, perceived intensity, and social support are associated with burnout among new consultants.
  
  
  METHODS
  A population-based study among all 2643 new consultants in the Netherlands (all specialties) was conducted in June 2010. A questionnaire covering preparedness for practice, intensity of the transition, social support, and burnout was used. Structural equation modelling was used for statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data from a third of the population were available (32% n = 840) (43% male/57% female). Preparation in generic competencies received lower ratings than in medical competencies. A total of 10% met the criteria for burnout and 18% scored high on the emotional exhaustion subscale. Perceived lack of preparation in generic competencies correlated with burnout (r = 0.15, p < 0.001). No such relation was found for medical competencies. Furthermore, social support protected against burnout.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings illustrate the relevance of generic competencies for new hospital consultants. Furthermore, social support facilitates this intense and stressful stage within the medical career.
authors.affiliation: Department of Onderwijsunie, St. Lucas Andreas Hospital, the Netherlands. mchwesterman@gmail.com
authors.forename: Michiel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Westerman
authors.forename: Pim W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Teunissen
authors.forename: Joanne P I
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Fokkema
authors.forename: Cees P M
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: van der Vleuten
authors.forename: Albert J J A
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Scherpbier
authors.forename: Carl E H
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Siegert
authors.forename: Fedde
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Scheele
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002055:Burnout, Professional; D002322:Career Mobility; D003253:Consultants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009426:Netherlands; D011361:Professional Competence; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016526:Workload / Q000523:psychology