Resident doctor workforce wellbeing worldwide: Lessons between the UK and Australia

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Medical Workforce Wellbeing
• Comparative Health Systems

Background:

• Physician burnout, workload strain, and declining professional fulfillment are prevalent in high-income healthcare systems.
• The United Kingdom and Australia, despite similar professional cultures and training, have distinct health system structures.
• Understanding structural determinants is key to addressing resident doctor wellbeing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare resident doctor wellbeing in the distinct health system structures of the UK and Australia.
• To identify structural determinants impacting physician wellbeing in comparable professional environments.
• To inform system-level reforms for safeguarding healthcare workforce health and sustainability.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of resident doctor wellbeing data from the United Kingdom and Australia.
• Examination of shared challenges: rising demand, workforce shortages, and work-life balance expectations.
• Assessment of structural pressures such as industrial action, training bottlenecks, and workforce composition.

Main Results:

• Both countries exhibit persistently high levels of moral distress and intention to leave practice among resident doctors.
• Structural pressures, including industrial action and training bottlenecks, are common.
• Evidence indicates a serious public health issue regarding suicide risk among physicians.

Conclusions:

• Distinct health system structures do not insulate resident doctors from distress and burnout.
• Shared outcomes underscore the need for universal interventions.
• System-level reform and cultural change are essential for physician wellbeing and healthcare system sustainability.