Poll Shows Over 20% of Doctors Took Time Off for Stress
According to a General Medical Council survey of over 4,000 doctors, one-third of doctors are struggling with their workload and feel overwhelmed.
More than 23 percent of doctors had to take a leave of absence last year due to stress, as reported by the General Medical Council (GMC).
The GMC workplace experiences report published on Thursday also revealed that 33 percent of doctors were struggling with their workload and often worked beyond their designated hours.
Out of the 4,000 UK doctors surveyed, 41 percent stated that they declined additional work, nearly double the number from the previous year.
The report highlighted that 21 percent of doctors were at high risk of burnout, with doctors in training being the most susceptible to burnout compared to other groups.
Describing the current situation, the GMC’s report mentioned that doctors are reaching a breaking point.
Dr. Latifa Patel, workforce lead at the British Medical Association (BMA), emphasized the importance of addressing burnout, stating that losing doctors from an already limited workforce will intensify the pressure on those who remain, resulting in longer waits for patients.
As the government aims to tackle the NHS waiting list backlog by committing to an additional 40,000 operations, scans, and appointments each week, the challenges faced by healthcare professionals remain a pressing issue.
The report highlighted that GPs continue to face significant challenges, with family doctors being particularly dissatisfied with their workload compared to other doctors.
GPs Struggling the Most
The report emphasized the need to enhance general practice provision to ensure effective primary and community care, stressing the importance of expanding GP capacity.
Addressing the ongoing challenges, the BMA recommended various measures that practices could implement, such as limiting the number of patients seen by a doctor per day.
Critics have expressed concerns that collective action by GPs could adversely impact patients, with warnings that the repercussions would be felt across the entire health and care system.
Collective Action Will ‘Punish’ Patients
Concerns have been raised about the potential negative impact on patients due to collective action by GPs, with calls to address the consequences on the wider healthcare system.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting echoed these concerns, emphasizing the need to avoid unnecessary industrial action that could burden other parts of the NHS.
PA Media contributed to this report.
