Multidimensional factors of burnout in general practice: a cross sectional survey.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: GPs are particularly vulnerable to job burnout. Tailored prevention and intervention strategies are needed. AIM: To investigate organisational, interpersonal, and individual factors contributing to exhaustion and disengagement at work among GPs. DESIGN & SETTING: We conducted a cross-sectional study in a sample of Belgian GPs. METHOD: A total of 358 doctors (73% females, 301 with complete data) completed an online anonymous questionnaire assessing job burnout, psychosocial characteristics of the work environment, perceived social support in the private domain, emotional competence, and self-compassion. RESULTS: GPs reported moderate levels of exhaustion and disengagement. Regression models showed that included factors jointly explained 69% of the variance in exhaustion and 63% in disengagement. Exhaustion was significantly predicted by female sex (ß effect size = -0.1), high perceived emotional demands (ß = 0.19), as well as low self-compassion (ß = -0.14) and low emotional competence (ß = 0.09). Disengagement was significantly predicted by low seniority (ß = -0.12) and limited opportunities for development (ß = -0.16). Both exhaustion and disengagement were predicted by low perceived quality of work (ß = -0.19 and -0.14, respectively), meaning of work (ß = -0.17 and -0.31, respectively), and role clarity (ß = 0.09 and 0.12, respectively), as well as high perceived work-life conflict (ß = 0.46 and 0.21, respectively). Moreover, GPs working in a multidisciplinary group reported lower levels of exhaustion and disengagement than those working in a monodisciplinary group or a solo practice, and this difference was associated with factors such as work-life conflict. CONCLUSION: Organisational, interpersonal, and intrapersonal factors interact to predict a substantial part of burnout in general practice. The most significant risk factors were perceived work-life conflict and poor meaning of work. Policymakers should work to support more sustainable practices based on the specific needs and constraints reported by GPs.