Workload and GP burnout: a survey and register-based study in Danish general practice

Area of Science:

• General Practice
• Occupational Health
• Medical Sociology

Background:

• Burnout is a prevalent issue among general practitioners (GPs).
• Prior research suggests a link between high workloads and physician burnout.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the burnout risk in single-handed GPs in Denmark.
• To assess this risk in relation to both self-reported and register-based workload data.

Main Methods:

• Utilized questionnaire data from 312 Danish single-handed GPs.
• Incorporated register data on patient numbers and services provided.
• Burnout was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS).
• Binomial regression analyses were performed, adjusting for GP age, sex, and patient social deprivation.

Main Results:

• Working more than five days per week significantly increased burnout risk (adjusted RR = 2.34).
• Spending over 7.5 hours daily on patient-related tasks also elevated burnout risk.
• No significant association was found between the number of services provided and burnout risk.

Conclusions:

• Working five days a week is a significant risk factor for burnout among Danish single-handed GPs.
• Extended hours on patient-related tasks show a trend towards increased burnout risk.
• High service volume does not appear to be associated with increased burnout risk in this population.