Introduction The influence of burnout, academic engagement, and their interaction in dropout intention among medical students should be further studied. Current research shows its consequences are relevant, however, there is little understanding on burnout and academic engagement moderation in dropout intention. The current study tested a model that relates the effects of coping strategies, social support satisfaction, general distress on academic engagement, burnout, and dropout intention, on medical students. Methods Through an online survey, a non-probabilistic sample of one Medical Faculty's 1st- and 2nd-year students was recruited. Cross-sectional data were collected using psychometric instruments (Maslach Burnout Inventory – Student Survey, Social Support Satisfaction Scale for College Students, Brief COPE Scale for College Students, University Student Engagement Inventory, and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale), sociodemographic and academic variables, and analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results 532 students (76% response rate) enrolled in the study. Latent variables structural model presented a satisfactory fit to the data and confirmed the expected negative path between burnout and dropout intention (?DI<-SB =0.430; p<.001) and the latent moderation burnout x engagement (?DI<-SB*SE =-0.218; p<.001). Conclusion Academic engagement attenuates the impact of burnout on dropout intention, working as a protective factor. Social support satisfaction and adaptive coping are associated with increased levels of academic engagement, and general distress and maladaptive coping are associated with burnout. Medical Schools should develop interventions to prevent dropout intention, tackle students' stress and academic challenges, and develop their academic engagement levels.

First of all, the authors would like to thank the Ethics Committee of CHLN-HSM and Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon for having approved this study, as well as to all students who participated in the study. Also, the authors would like to...

Student burnout,Academic engagement,Coping,Medical students,Dropout intention

• Clinical Medicine - Medical and Health Sciences
• Other Medical Sciences - Medical and Health Sciences
• Educational Sciences - Social Sciences