Burnout, psychological wellbeing, and musculoskeletal complaints in UK GPs: an observational study

Abstract

BackgroundHealthcare systems are under unprecedented pressure. GPs are crucial to the health of the population, yet their own health and wellbeing is often overlooked.AimTo investigate feelings of burnout, psychological wellbeing, and musculoskeletal complaints in GPs across the UK and to examine whether these health outcomes vary according to the time GPs spent sitting, their participation in physical activity each day, the time spent working per day/week.Design & settingObservational study involving GPs located across the UK.MethodAn online survey was emailed to working members of the Royal College of General Practitioners and shared on social media. The survey included questions on burnout, psychological wellbeing, and musculoskeletal complaints, sitting time, physical activity and time spent working. Mean differences were examined for burnout, psychological wellbeing and musculoskeletal complaints.ResultsData from 406 GPs showed a high level of burnout (36%) and musculoskeletal complaints (82%). Psychological wellbeing was low in 25% of GPs. Burnout was lower in GPs who met current physical activity guidelines, while psychological wellbeing was higher in those with more than two breaks in sitting per hour. Musculoskeletal complaints were higher in those spending more than 50% of sitting time in prolonged bouts (≥30 minutes).ConclusionA high proportion of GPs reported experiencing burnout and musculoskeletal complaints, but these health concerns were less evident in GPs who spent less time in prolonged sitting, took more breaks in sitting and who were more physically active.

Physical activity, musculoskeletal disorders, burnout, and work engagement: a cross-sectional study on Italian white-collar employees

“…Overall, these findings are coherent with the results of the present study, as in our sample, participants who met the PA guidelines did not show significantly lower MSDs or work-engagement levels, but only lower levels of emotional exhaustion; in contrast, workers who overcame the PA guidelines, showed significantly lower MSDs, lower emotional exhaustion, higher personal accomplishment, and better work engagement, suggesting that limiting oneself to reaching the guidelines does not seem to be enough to top up the benefits. Furthermore, we found that having MSDs increased the risk of developing burnout symptoms; this is in line with the results by Biddle et al ( 33 ), who also reported that a large proportion of general practitioners experiencing burnout also had neck, shoulder, or back pain. Biddle and colleagues also reported that most of their participants did not meet the PA guidelines and spent most of their working time in prolonged sitting bouts; interestingly, those who had more regular breaks from prolonged sitting showed lower burnout and greater psychological well-being than those who had fewer breaks.…”

“…Our cross-sectional study on white-collar employees highlights the pivotal role of leisure-time PA in reducing musculoskeletal problems, enhancing work engagement, and preventing burnout, echoing principles of sports medicine. Our findings challenge the adequacy of meeting PA guidelines, aligning with research emphasizing the need to surpass these standards ( 16 , 33 ). Particularly, our focus on emotional exhaustion aligns with burnout research ( 13 , 15 ), hinting at a time-sensitive cascade effect ( 11 ).…”

“…Notably, our study reveals that merely reaching PA guidelines may not be sufficient to achieve significant positive effects on the measured parameters. Indeed, a few studies ( 15 , 33 ) investigated the leisure-time PA dividing the participants into who met and who did not the guidelines, and found significantly lower levels of burnout in those who met the guidelines, but no significant effects on MSDs. However, these studies did not investigate whether higher levels of PA (i.e., overcoming the PA guidelines) would provide greater beneficial effects.…”

“…The scores are calculated by summing the items pertaining to each dimension. According to Leiter and Maslach (32), cut-offs values for the MBI were calculated using standardized values (z-scores), defining the following boundaries: high exhaustion at z = Mean + (SD × 0.5), high depersonalisation at z = Mean + (SD × 1.25), and high personal accomplishment at z = Mean + (SD × 0.10). The critical boundaries then depend on the specific group's population norms.…”

Feasibility and acceptability of general practitioners using sit–stand desks: a feasibility trial

“…18 The health risks for GPs are expected to be similar to those already outlined; however, there is some evidence that GPs who spend more time in prolonged sitting (equally to or greater than 30 min) reported more musculoskeletal complaints. 19 Therefore, it is important to investigate ways in which GPs might be provided with opportunities during their working day to sit less. Sit-stand desks allow the user to quickly alternate between a sitting and standing position.…”