Exploring Drivers of Work-Related Stress in General Practice Teams as an Example for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: Protocol for an Integrated Ethnographic Approach of Social Research Methods

Abstract

Background An increasing shortage of skilled personnel, including medical personnel, has been reported in many postindustrial economies. Persisting and growing trends in absenteeism and incapacity to work due to mental disorders are concerning and have increased political, economic, and scientific interest in better understanding and management of determinants related to the work environment and health. Objective This study protocol describes an integrated approach of social research methods to explore determinants of work-related stress in general practice teams as an example for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Methods The methods applied will allow an in-depth exploration of work practices and experiences relating to psychological well-being in general practice teams. An ethnographic approach will be used to develop an in-depth understanding of the drivers of work-related stress in general practice teams. We will combine participating observation and individual interviews with five to seven general practitioners (GPs), and five to seven focus group discussions with the nonphysician staff (3-4 participants per group) in approximately four GP group practices and one single practice in Germany. Data collection and analysis will follow a grounded theory approach. Results The Ethics Committee of the Medical Faculty, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Germany, has approved this study (reference number: 640/2017BO2). Recruitment has commenced with study completion anticipated in mid-2020. Conclusions The data from this project will be used in follow-up projects to develop and test an intervention to reduce and prevent work-related stress in GP practices and other SMEs. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/15809

'We always support each other – no matter what': a qualitative analysis of work-related psychosocial demands, stressors and resources in general practice teams

“…In this manuscript, we focus on the most important aspects of the research methods applied. Further detailed information on background, research design and methodology have been published in the research protocol of this study [25].…”

“…There is, however, a lack of in-depth analyses of potential relationships between particular psychosocial work-related stressors and resources affecting entire health care teams. To address current health system challenges at the local level -eg, managing new infectious diseases and dealing with the increasing morbidity due to chronic diseases effectively and sustainably -it is important to gain a better understanding of issues related to occupational health and safety for personnel working in the primary care setting [25]. This study is the first work package (WP 1) of the transdisciplinary research network IMPROVEjob (supplementary material A), funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (FKZ-01GL1751A, 01GL1851D).…”

'We always support each other – no matter what': a qualitative analysis of work-related psychosocial demands, stressors and resources in general practice teams

“…In this manuscript, we focus on the most important aspects of the research methods applied. Further detailed information on background, research design and methodology have been published in the research protocol of this study [19].…”

“…To address current health system challenges at the local level -e.g. managing new infectious diseases and dealing with the increasing morbidity due to chronic diseases effectively and sustainably -it is important to gain a better understanding of issues related to occupational health and safety for personnel working in the primary care setting [19] in order to also ensure the quality of health care [25]. This study is the rst work package (WP 1) of the transdisciplinary research network IMPROVEjob (supplementary material A), funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (FKZ-01GL1751A, 01GL1851D).…”

“…good working atmosphere, appropriate salary) to health and health-related behaviors [e.g. 19,20]. Based on these models, existing European [11] and German [21] recommendations have structured work-related psychosocial demands, comprising, for example, "work content and task" (e.g.…”