Determinants of mood in general practitioners

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Psychiatry
• General Practice

Background:

• General practitioners (GPs) face unique workplace stressors.
• Understanding emotional well-being in GPs is crucial for retention and patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the factors influencing mood fluctuations in general practitioners.
• To identify workplace and domestic correlates of emotional states in GPs.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study involving 44 general practitioners.
• Utilized cognitive behavioural self-monitoring diaries to record hourly emotional state and associated circumstances.
• Administered a questionnaire to assess preferences for medical practice.

Main Results:

• Lower mood linked to work "hassles," time pressure, and domestic dissatisfaction.
• Improved mood associated with domestic happiness and efficient work completion.
• Doctors on call reported significantly lower mood; women GPs showed greater mood variability linked to domestic issues.

Conclusions:

• Workplace stressors and domestic factors significantly impact GP mood.
• GPs may favor traditional clinical medicine over psychosocial issues.
• Enhanced managerial training is recommended to address identified challenges in GP well-being.