Burnout syndrome and risk factors in trainees and fully qualified GPs: an observational study

Lorenzo Rizzotto, Lucia Luzi Crivellini, Andrea Cesaro, Giulio Rigon, Francesco Del Zotti, Sonia Zenari

Keywords: ProQOL; perceived support (PS); compassion satisfaction (CS); burnout (BO); secondary traumatic stress (STS); moral distress (MD), General Practitioners (GPs)

Background:

BO represents a widespread social problem, particularly relevant in helping professions like GPs. Italy has the highest scores relating to burnout among European GPs. Understanding and improving the professional quality of life of GPs is crucial for the well-being of physicians and to ensure optimal quality of care.

Research questions:

The study aims to evaluate the working conditions of GPs in the Veneto region: what are the risk elements of burnout and the associated protective factors? Is there a difference between physicians in training and those already qualified?

Method:

An analytical-observational research was conducted through an online questionnaire for GPs of Veneto region and the organization of five focus groups (three constituted of 8-12 fully qualified GPs and two of 15-20 training GPs). The questionnaire collected demographic data, informations on working habits and professional well-being using the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL-Health). The focus groups were used to deepen the results and gather qualitative data on the personal experiences of GPs regarding burnout and coping strategies.

Results:

499 questionnaires were completed, 241 by training GPs and 260 by trained GPs. High levels of BO were reported both in training GPs (45%) and in fully qualified ones (35%), in spite of the lower number of assisted patients by the trainees. The Perceived Support in the trainees and in the other GPs was respectively of 38% and 30%, and the Compassion Satisfaction was 60% and 55% in the two groups. GPs with nursery and secretary desk resulted at more risk of developing BO syndrome, while there was a positive correlation between BO syndrome and CS.

Conclusions:

BO between training and trained GPs was comparable. Surplus of working hours and more employees were the greatest risk factors. From the focus groups, prolonged multi-channel contactability and bureaucracy were great stressors. Among training GPs, PS resulted a protective factor.

Points for discussion:

Burnout and Compassion Satisfaction were statistically correlated. Therefore can we talk about workaholism in General Practice?

Is there any room for a systematic approach to fight burnout? are we GPs doomed to sooner or later face it?

Does GPs feel themselves sufficiently trained from a managerial point of view to organize their and their teams working activity?

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