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.
Background And Objectives:
Little research has explored burnout and wellbeing among supervisors. Because supervisor wellbeing is critical for trainee education and wellbeing, the present study explored risk and protective factors facing this group.
Method:
Interviews were conducted with 14 supervisors, and focus groups were run with five training stakeholders from two training organisations involved with Australian general practice training. Data were approached from a critical realist grounded theory perspective, applying template analysis to generate themes.
Results:
Supervisors faced the same risk factors as non-educator doctors, including high workloads, personal stressors and an unsupportive medical culture. These were overlayed by additional factors from their supervisory duties, including the 'burden' of supervision, practices' supportiveness of supervision and under-valuing their contributions.
Discussion:
The findings of this study fill important gaps in the literature regarding organisational and systemic contributors to supervisor burnout. Suggestions are offered for how individuals, practices and organisations can support supervisors' wellbeing to establish a sustainable medical education workforce for general practice.
Related Concept Videos
Obedience
Longitudinal Research
Milgram's Obedience to Authority
Ethical Issues
Ethical Concerns in Healthcare:
Current Trends in Nursing I
Social Loafing
