This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
One in three GPs too stressed to cope
The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has reported that nearly one in three GPs are so stressed they feel they cannot cope at least once a week.
Commissioned by the Royal College of General Practitioners Wales (RCGP Wales), a survey found that 32 per cent of Welsh GPs were so stressed that they felt that they could not cope at least once a week, mainly as a result of rising demand - leaving may having to work harder, over longer hours, to provide care for their communities.
Coinciding with Mental Health Awareness Week, RCGP Wales published the figures to raise awareness of the impact of rising workloads on GPs' own mental health and well-being. The organisation has launched a further survey to further explore the link between GP workload and well-being to help identify possible solutions to the pressures GPs are under.
Rebecca Payne, RCGP Wales chair, said: "These findings are very concerning. Due to the GP workforce shortage, family doctors are working under extremely challenging conditions to ensure that all patients receive care when they need it. Many GPs are now routinely working 12-13 hour days without taking time for breaks. This pressure is taking its toll on family doctors across Wales. That can only have negative knock on effects for how able GPs are to provide for the health of their patients.
"GPs across Wales want to provide compassionate care, and many GPs repeatedly go above and beyond for their patients when they need it most. However, for GPs to continue providing this level of care, we need to ensure that GPs are also able to look after their own well-being.
"For the sake of the profession and our patients, we need to ensure that GPs are valued, supported and empowered. That will encourage GPs to enter and remain in the profession and help ensure the future of general practice in Wales. GPs have told us that tackling rising workload is a priority for them and as RCGP Wales Chair, I want to do all I can to promote GP well-being. This is why we have launched a survey to explore GP workload and wellbeing in more depth and see how it is affecting GPs across the region."
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