Roles and work-related factors associated with occupational burnout among general practitioners in Sheffield, UK: a cross-sectional study

Problem

General practice (GP) continues to experience a workforce crisis. Efforts to increase the overall number of GPs has largely failed and many current doctors plan to reduce their sessions or leave practice in the next few years. Personal well-being, work-load and occupational burnout are often given as the reasons for such decisions. Much of the focus within the NHS and research has been in individual factors with much less attention given to how roles and the work-environment influence symptoms of occupational burnout.

Approach

Study design: a cross sectional study design will be employed. Measures: occupational burnout will be measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Perception of work-setting qualities will be assessed using the Areas of Work-life Survey and a range of role and work-place factors will be measured as derived from the literature and piloting with practitioners. Practice level data will be obtained from publicly available datasets. Data collection: a Qualtrics survey was developed using the measures of interest and distributed to all 74 Sheffield GP practices in February 2022. We plan to collect data at a practice and individual level. Participants: GPs working in a Sheffield GP practice as either a partner or salaried doctor. Statistical analysis: Factors associated with symptoms of burnout will be examined using multiple linear regression and structural equation modelling.

Findings

Results will be presented at the conference.

Consequences

This study addresses a necessary gap in our research and understanding of occupational burnout among GPs. It is hoped that the findings of this study will be used to develop strategies to help GPs continue in their roles whilst protecting their wellbeing and move towards a more holistic view than that provided by individual factors such as resilience training.