Researchers from the University have proposed that current approaches to dealing with burnouts in doctors on an individual case-by-case basis are not effective, and that the issue should instead be tackled with organisation-wide initiatives.
A meta-analysis study, which brought together the results of previously conducted research, was carried out to explore the effectiveness of interventions in reducing burnout in doctors. It explored the comparison between doctor-directed interventions that target the individual, and organisation-directed interventions that target the working environment. The strength of the doctor’s experience and the particular healthcare setting they worked in was also assessed.
The research concluded that, while doctor-focused tactics such as mindfulness and cognitive behavioural are important, the greatest success at preventing and reducing burnout in doctors can be achieved through the adoption of organisation-directed approaches such as improved working environment and organisational culture.
Burnout is a major problem in the healthcare industry and is often driven by excessive workload, imbalance between job demands and skills, a lack of job control and prolonged stress.
George Lewith, Professor of Health Research at the University who supervised the research, said:
This work suggests that if we want to retain safe and professionally competent NHS clinicians working in very demanding front line jobs, we need to support their mental and physical health and creating appropriate and enabling working environments for them.
Efforts need to be focused on finding appropriate ways of reaching doctors who work in stressful environments to ensure their wellbeing is taken care of. If we don’t, patient safety could be at risk.
The research was done in collaboration with The University of Manchester.
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