What leads to burnout in general practice supervisors? A qualitative study
Shaun Prentice1, Jill Benson2, Helen Mullner3
1BPsychSc (Hons), MPsych (Clin), PhD,@Clinical Associate Lecturer, School of Psychology,@The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA; Research@Officer, General Practice Training Research Team,@The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners,@Adelaide, SA.
Australian Journal of General Practice
|July 2, 2026
Summary
Supervisor wellbeing is crucial for medical training. This study identified key risk factors like high workloads and lack of support, alongside unique challenges from supervisory duties, impacting doctor burnout.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Occupational Health
- Psychology
Background:
- Limited research exists on burnout and wellbeing among medical supervisors.
- Supervisor wellbeing is critical for trainee education and overall wellbeing.
- This study addresses the gap by exploring risk and protective factors for supervisors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the factors contributing to burnout and affecting the wellbeing of medical supervisors.
- To identify specific risks and protective elements relevant to the supervisory role in medical training.
- To inform strategies for supporting supervisor wellbeing within general practice training organizations.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study involving interviews with 14 supervisors and focus groups with 5 training stakeholders.
- Data collected from two Australian general practice training organizations.
- Analysis employed a critical realist grounded theory perspective with template analysis.
Main Results:
- Supervisors experience common risk factors like high workloads and personal stressors, alongside an unsupportive medical culture.
- Additional supervisory duties contribute to burnout, including the perceived 'burden' of supervision, lack of practice support, and undervaluation of their contributions.
- Findings highlight organizational and systemic contributors to supervisor burnout.
Conclusions:
- Addressing supervisor burnout requires understanding both general and role-specific risk factors.
- Recommendations are provided for individuals, practices, and organizations to enhance supervisor wellbeing.
- Supporting supervisors is essential for a sustainable medical education workforce in general practice.
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