Burnout, coping strategies and help-seeking in general practitioners: a two-wave survey study in Denmark

Abstract

Objective: Work pressure remains an issue among general practitioners (GPs). Nevertheless, GPs rarely seek help for symptoms of burnout. The aim of this study was to examine whether burnout level was associated with coping strategies and help-seeking behaviour during time pressure.

Design: A two-wave nationwide survey (2016 and 2019) based on questionnaire data from 1059 GPs.

Setting: Primary care in Denmark.

Methods: Burnout was measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), whereas coping strategies and help-seeking behaviour were measured by questions developed for the study. A composite score of quartile points was calculated for the three subscales of the MBI subscales. A score ≥9 was categorised as high level of burnout, and the composite score of 2019 was used as outcome. Data were analysed with logistic regression adjusted for sex, age and composite burnout score in 2016.

Results: High scores in 2016 on four key factors were associated with increased risk of high composite burnout score in 2019. These factors were compromising work (OR_adjusted=2.27, 95% CI=1.45 to 3.56), postponing decisions (OR_adjusted=1.53, 95% CI=1.04 to 2.24), delaying tasks (OR_adjusted=1.61, 95% CI=1.16 to 2.25) and reducing breaks (OR_adjusted=1.46, 95% CI=1.01 to 2.11) during time pressure. A lower risk of high composite burnout score was seen in 2019 in GPs who had sought help compared with GPs who did not seek help despite a perceived need (OR_adjusted=0.59, 95% CI=0.35 to 0.97).

Conclusion: Certain coping strategies used in 2016 were associated with increased risk of high burnout score in 2019, whereas lower risk of high burnout was seen in the GPs seeking help. These findings are relevant to reduce burnout rates among GPs.

Keywords: general medicine (see internal medicine); occupational & industrial medicine; organisational development; quality in health care.