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Open Access 01-08-2023 | COVID-19 | Research

General practitioners’ well-being in Belgium: results from the cross-sectional PRICOV-19 study

Authors: Joanna Cholewa, Cecile Ponsar, Ségolène de Rouffignac, Benoit Pétré, Esther Van Poel, Sara Willems, Michel De Jonghe

Published in: BMC Primary Care | Special Issue 1/2023

Abstract

Background

The mental health and well-being of GPs is a critical issue as they play a vital role in providing healthcare services to individuals and communities. Research has shown that GPs often face high levels of stress, burnout, and mental health problems due to their demanding work environment. During the COVID-19 pandemic, GPs faced additional challenges which further impacted their mental health and well-being. This study aims to investigate the impact of systemic work-related stressors on the level of well-being of GPs in Belgium during the pandemic, with a particular emphasis on identifying regional variations between Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels-Capital.

Methods

Data were collected with a self-reported online questionnaire from 479 GPs Belgian practices between December 2020 and August 2021 as part of the international PRICOV-19 study that explored the organization of general practices during COVID-19 in 38 countries to guarantee safe, effective, patient-centered, and equitable care. Well-being was evaluated by the Mayo Clinic's expanded 9-item well-being index.

Results

The findings of this study reveal notable regional discrepancies in the degree of well-being experienced by Belgian GPs, with the Walloon region displaying the lowest level of well-being (37%) in a population highly susceptible to professional distress (57%). Among the key stressors contributing to such distress, financial difficulties among patients (p < 0.011), the fee-for-service payment system (p = 0.013), a lack of work-related purpose (p = 0.047), and inadequate work-life balance (p < 0.001) were identified as significant factors. When examining the influence of regional disparities, it was found that the sole significant interaction between work-related stressors and region regarding the probability of experiencing distress was related to the possibility of workload sharing among practice personnel.

Conclusion

The findings from this study underscore the imperative for more comprehensive research aimed at scrutinizing the differences in well-being across the three regions in Belgium and identifying the systemic factors that influence the practice environment, as opposed to exclusively concentrating on enhancing individual resilience.

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Title: General practitioners’ well-being in Belgium: results from the cross-sectional PRICOV-19 study
Authors: Joanna Cholewa
Cecile Ponsar
Ségolène de Rouffignac
Benoit Pétré
Esther Van Poel
Sara Willems
Michel De Jonghe
Publication date: 01-08-2023
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: COVID-19
Burnout Syndrome
Published in: BMC Primary Care / Issue Special Issue 1/2023
Electronic ISSN: 2731-4553
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-024-02341-4

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

General practitioners’ well-being in Belgium: results from the cross-sectional PRICOV-19 study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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