Job Satisfaction and Chronic Stress of General Practitioners and Their Teams: Baseline Data of a Cluster-Randomised Trial (IMPROVEjob)

Abstract

Background: A high prevalence of poor job satisfaction and high chronic stress is documented for general practitioners (GPs) and non-physician practice staff from various countries. The reasons are multifactorial and include deficits in leadership, communication and workflows. This publicly funded study evaluates the effectiveness of the newly developed participatory, interdisciplinary, and multimodal IMPROVEjob intervention on improving job satisfaction among GPs and practice personnel. Here, we report the baseline characteristics of the participating GPs and practice assistants, focusing on job satisfaction and perceived chronic stress. Methods: The IMPROVEjob study was performed as a cluster-randomised, controlled trial (cRCT) with German GP practices in the North Rhine Region. The IMPROVEjob intervention comprised two leadership workshops (one for practice leaders only; a second for leaders and practice assistants), a toolbox with supplemental printed and online material, and a nine-month implementation phase supported by IMPROVEjob facilitators. The intervention addressed issues of leadership, communication, and work processes. During study nurse visits, participants completed questionnaires at baseline and after nine months follow up. The primary outcome was the change in job satisfaction as measured by the respective scale of the validated German version of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (German COPSOQ, version 2018). Perceived chronic stress was measured using the Trier Inventory of Chronic Stress (TICS- SSCS). Results: Recruitment of 60 practices was successful: 21 were solo, 39 were group practices. At baseline, n = 84 practice owners, n = 28 employed physicians and n = 254 practice assistants were included. The mean age of all participants was 44.4 (SD = 12.8). At baseline, the job satisfaction score in the total sample was 74.19 of 100 (±14.45) and the perceived chronic stress score was 19.04 of 48 (±8.78). Practice assistants had a significantly lower job satisfaction than practice owners (p < 0.05) and employed physicians (p < 0.05). In the regression analysis, perceived chronic stress was negatively associated with job satisfaction (b= −0.606, SE b = 0.082, p < 0.001, ICC = 0.10). Discussion: The degree of job satisfaction was similar to those in other medical professionals published in studies, while perceived chronic stress was markedly higher compared to the general German population. These findings confirm the need for interventions to improve psychological wellbeing in GP practice personnel.

Higher Work-Privacy Conflict and Lower Job Satisfaction in GP Leaders and Practice Assistants Working Full-Time Compared to Part-Time: Results of the IMPROVEjob Study

“…Practice assistants were more likely to work part-time than physicians (58.54% vs. 25%). Details on the socio-demographic characteristics for the total population, stratified by professional groups, are presented in Table 1 , as presented in our prior publication [ 22 ].…”

“…The mean job satisfaction score was 77.16 (SD = 14.30) for GPs in a leadership position ( n = 84), 79.61 (SD = 12.85) for employed GPs ( n = 28), and 72.58 (SD = 14.42) for practice assistants ( n = 254). A more comprehensive and detailed presentation of the descriptive JS scores can be found in Degen et al [ 22 ]. In the multilevel analysis, work-privacy conflict was statistically significantly associated with job satisfaction respecting cluster effects ( b = −0.10, SE b = 0.02, t = −4.29, p < 0.001).…”

“…Factors influencing WPC are also investigated. The details of the IMPROVE job study are described in the study protocol [ 21 ]; the socio-demographic data of the study population are published by Degen et al [ 22 ].…”

“…The following data are used for analysis: Socio-demographic data: These comprise age (in years), gender (male/female/neutral), occupational group (practice owner, employed physician, practice assistant), marital status, persons in household over/under 18 years, and care for next-of-kin. The baseline results are published [22].…”

Does the Number of Reasons for Seeking Care and Self-Rated Health Predict Sick Leave during the Following 12 Months? A Prospective, Longitudinal Study in Swedish Primary Health Care

“…For health care professionals working within PHC, it is important to include not only what symptoms the patient is seeking care for but also the number of symptoms and possible comorbidities in the assessment. However, this can be challenging as it requires time, the PHC is guided by a high demand for prompt access and care, and the workload is often high and may lead to chronic stress among the healthcare professionals [ 53 ]. The PHC services may also be challenged by insufficient resources and lack of support and collaboration between health care professionals [ 36 ].…”