GPs’ mental wellbeing and psychological resources: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

BackgroundThe negative impact of work has been the traditional focus of GP surveys. We know little about GP positive mental health and psychological resources.AimTo profile and contextualise GP positive mental health and personal psychological resources.Design and settingCross-sectional survey of GPs working in Northern Ireland (NI).MethodA questionnaire comprising the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS) and measures of resilience, optimism, self-efficacy, and hope, and sociodemographic information was posted to 400 GPs randomly selected from a publicly available GP register.ResultsThe response rate was 55% (n = 221 out of 400). Mean value for GP wellbeing (WEMWBS) was 50.2 (standard deviation [SD] 8) compared to UK vets 48.8 (SD 9), UK teachers 47.2 (SD 9), and the population of NI 50.8 (SD 9). After adjustment for confounding, mean WEMWBS was 2.4 units (95% CI = 0.02 to 4.7) higher in female GPs than males (P = 0.05), and 4.0 units (95% CI = 0.8 to 7.3) higher in GPs ≥55 years than GPs ≤44 years (P = 0.02). Optimism was 1.1 units higher in female GPs than male GPs (95% CI = 0.1 to 2.0), and 1.56 units higher in GPs ≥55 years (95% CI = 0.2 to 2.9) than in those ≤44 years. Hope was 3 units higher in GPs ≥55 years (95% CI = 0.4 to 5.7) than in those aged 45–54 years. Correlation between WEMWBS and psychological resources was highest with hope (r = 0.65, P < 0.001).ConclusionGPs have levels of positive mental health that are comparable to the local population and better than other occupational groups, such as vets and teachers. Male and younger GPs may have most to gain from wellbeing interventions.

Keep the fire burning: a survey study on the role of personal resources for work engagement and burnout in medical residents and specialists in the Netherlands

“…Although the relationships between demands and resources as antecedents and burnout and work engagement as outcomes are confirmed in numerous studies, research also shows that the strength of these relationships varies. This variation is likely due to the different professional samples and work contexts that were studied 29–31. While residents and specialists work in the same occupational setting, they may face different job characteristics and, hence, different job demands and resources.…”

Assessing the mental wellbeing of next generation general practitioners: a cross-sectional survey

“…Overall, this sample of young and future Swiss GPs reported higher mental health (52.4) compared with UK GPs (50.2), teachers (47.2), or the general population of Northern Ireland (50.8). 26 It was found that wellbeing in residents was significantly lower compared with young GPs (P<0.001); residents most often stated a lack of private time (P<0.001) and were at highest risk of burnout, when compared with GPs and medical students. These results align with findings from other studies that identified the training period as the phase most characterised by distress and difficulty.…”

“…Secondly, there is risk of social desirability bias, which can potentially be lowered through anonymity of responses. 28 Thirdly, although statistical significance was found, the clinical relevance of, for example, 2 units lower in WEMWBS can be questioned; the effect sizes were, however, equal to those by Murray et al 26 The authors argue that factors such as female sex, working part-time hours, and lack of private time can accumulate (in that case to 7.6 units).…”

“…Murray et al 26 detected a difference of mental wellbeing using the same WEMWBS score in the youngest (49.7, SD 7.8) compared with the oldest age group (52.1, SD 8.2). To detect a similar difference with 80% power and level significance of 5%, it was calculated that a sample size of about 352 participants was needed.…”

“…The study was sufficiently powered to detect similar differences as in comparable studies or settings. 26 It was also helpful to let participants suggest what should change to improve their mental health.…”