General practitioner well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative interview study

Area of Science:

• General Practice
• Mental Health
• Pandemic Impact

Background:

• COVID-19 pandemic created unique challenges for general practitioners (GPs).
• International evidence suggests a negative impact on GP mental health and well-being.
• UK-specific research on this topic was lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the lived experiences of UK GPs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To investigate the pandemic's impact on the psychological well-being of general practitioners.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative in-depth interviews conducted remotely with UK National Health Service GPs.
• Purposive sampling across early, established, and late-career GPs.
• Thematic analysis using Framework Analysis.

Main Results:

• Most interviewed GPs reported negative sentiment, psychological distress, and burnout.
• Key stressors included personal risk, increased workload, practice changes, and public perception.
• Facilitators of well-being included support systems and career adjustments; some saw the pandemic as a catalyst for positive change.

Conclusions:

• Multiple factors negatively affected GP well-being during the pandemic.
• The findings highlight potential impacts on workforce retention and healthcare quality.
• Urgent policy interventions are required to support general practice amidst ongoing challenges.