Stress exposure can take a toll on the adjustment of young individuals, including students. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of burnout and impostor syndrome (IS) on self-esteem and academic performance in medical students. The participants were 331 undergraduate medical students (102 men, 229 women; 89.7% native, 12,1% international; mean age = 21.18, SD = 2.338). The study instruments included the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory for Students (CBI-S), Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS), and Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale, while academic performance (AP) was reported as received GPA (objective AP) and expected GPA (subjective AP). The statistical analysis comprised independent t-tests, MANOVA, ANOVA, and correlational and mediational analyses. The results showed that native students had lower self-esteem and higher scores of personal burnout and IS. Irrespective of cultural differences, women scored higher than men in IS and in personal burnout, while men had higher self-esteem than women. Burnout and IS were correlated with a decrease in self-esteem (adj. R² = 0.531) in the overall sample, whereas in native students, IS was correlated with a difference between subjective and objective self-assessments of AP (adj. R² = 0.027). Burnout and impostor syndrome, despite not directly impacting academic performance, may significantly influence self-esteem, making them a target for preventive or interventional measures.

Background: In light of the concerning increase in burnout among healthcare professionals, it is essential to identify the specific factors that contribute to this phenomenon and can be addressed. This narrative review synthesizes evidence on the relationship between burnout and emotional intelligence (EI) among healthcare professionals, alongside additional factors that may influence both concepts. Methods: A structured search in OVID, PubMed, Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science (2000–2024) was conducted. The inclusion criteria were English language and peer-reviewed studies assessing both burnout and EI in healthcare professionals. The exclusion criteria were non-English papers, studies without EI–burnout correlation, or involving non-healthcare populations. Thirty-one eligible studies were included in this analysis. Results: The findings suggest a consistent inverse correlation between EI and burnout across various healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and residents. Higher EI was associated with reduced levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and a greater sense of personal accomplishment. Burnout was found to be prevalent among younger healthcare workers, particularly residents, with contributing factors including exposure to workplace violence, high workload, and diminished psychological ownership. In contrast, associations that suggest protective influences on emotional intelligence included spiritual intelligence, self-control, income, and healthy habits, such as sufficient sleep and physical activity. Conclusions: This narrative review highlights a consistent inverse association between EI and burnout in healthcare professionals. Given that both burnout and EI are affected by adjustable individual and organizational elements, specific interventions aimed at enhancing EI and improving workplace conditions may provide effective techniques to boost clinician occupational well-being and performance.

Background: In light of the concerning increase in burnout among healthcare professionals, it is essential to identify the specific factors that contribute to this phenomenon and that can be addressed. This review examines the relationship between burnout and emotional intelligence (EI) among healthcare professionals, alongside additional factors that may influence both concepts. Methods: A comprehensive search of OVID, PubMed, Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science databases was conducted for peer-reviewed articles published in English between 2000 and 2024. Inclusion criteria required studies to investigate both burnout and EI in healthcare professionals. 31 eligible peer-reviewed studies were included in the final analysis. Results: The findings suggest a consistent inverse correlation between EI and burnout across various healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and residents. Higher EI was associated with reduced levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, and a greater sense of personal accomplishment. Burnout was found to be prevalent among younger healthcare workers, particularly residents, with contributing factors including exposure to workplace violence, high workload, and diminished psychological ownership. Oppositely, protective influences on emotional intelligence included spiritual intelligence, self-control, income, and healthy habits, such as sufficient sleep and physical activity. Conclusions: Higher EI appears to be inversely associated to burnout among healthcare professionals. Given that both burnout and EI are affected by adjustable individual and organizational elements, specific interventions aimed at enhancing EI and improving workplace conditions may provide effective techniques to boost clinician well-being and performance.