Understanding GP Burnout and broken spirits

Problem

A recent (2021) survey of 1318 UK GPs showed burnout is at crisis levels, with one in five participants at highest risk for burnout. This survey demonstrated that burnout occurs across all demographics of GPs. Burnout was associated with spiritual health, irrespective of any religious affiliation. GPs with poor spiritual health were five times more likely to be in the highest risk group for burnout. As current approaches to GP burnout are clearly not working, new responses are required. The potentially protective impact of spiritual health may have a role in burnout prevention and needs further investigation.

Approach

To date, sixteen in-depth interviews have been conducted with GPs who have lived experience of burnout, exploring the effects of burnout on work, life outside work, spiritual health and identity. A thematic analysis is being conducted alongside data collection.

Findings

Participants echoed the World Health Organisation definition of burnout as an occupational phenomenon. They described how GP workloads and challenges have increased, which can have profound effects on life outside of work. Partnerships, and subsequent managerial and financial challenges could precipitate and worsen burnout. This includes wider issues of relationships, finances, identity, spirituality and existential questions. Barriers to seeking early help for burnout included time, culture, ‘dark humour’, sense of failure, stigma and comorbid physical and mental health problems. Grief for the life participants expected as a GP, as well as perceptions of worsening working conditions appear to cause strain. Underlying neurodiversity, adverse childhood experiences, and personal identity and meaning were identified as potentially predisposing factors for GPs to burnout, as well as effects of gender and ethnicity on experiences of burnout.

Consequences

GP burnout is an holistic problem, often only addressed after crisis is reached, whether in relationships, finances, or mental or physical health. Activities that nurture spiritual health such as yoga, therapy, a strong ethical code, philosophy, religious practice etc appear to be beneficial to GPs who have experienced burnout and return to the workplace, although there is unlikely to be a spiritual panacea. Doctors at particularly high risk may benefit from early intervention with enhanced organisational awareness and support. This research will provide data to assist the development of proactive organisational interventions to reduce burnout levels in GPs.