Authors: Brøndt, Anders¹; Sokolowski, Ineta¹; Olesen, Frede¹; Vedsted, Peter¹

Source: British Journal of General Practice, Volume 58, Number 546, January 2008 , pp. 15-19(5)

Abstract:

Background

There has been minimal research into continuing medical education (CME) and its association with burnout among GPs.

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between participating in CME and experiencing burnout in a sample of Danish GPs.

Design of study

Cross-sectional questionnaire study.

Setting

All 458 active GPs in 2004, in the County of Aarhus, Denmark were invited to participate.

Method

Data on CME activities were obtained for all GPs and linked to burnout which was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey. The relationship between CME activity and burnout was calculated as prevalence ratios (PR) in a generalised linear model.

Results

In total, 379 (83.5%) GPs returned the questionnaire. The prevalence of burnout was about 25%, and almost 3% suffered from `high burnout'. A total of 344 (92.0%) GPs were members of a CME group or a supervision group. Not being a member of either a CME group or a supervision group was statistically significantly associated with doubled likelihood of burnout (PR = 2.2). Among GPs not making use of a practice facilitator, a seven-fold higher likelihood of high burnout was found.

Conclusion

GPs who were not members of a CME group and did not take part in outreach visits had a higher likelihood of suffering from burnout and high burnout than those who were members of a CME group or received outreach visits. Therefore, not being a member of a CME group could indicate that the GP is more likely to suffer from burnout. Although the present study does not unequivocally establish causality, it would be interesting to see whether staying active in CME may also prevent burnout among GPs.

Keywords: burnout; continuing medical education; general practice; general practitioner

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.3399/bjgp08X263767

Affiliations: 1: Research Unit for General Practice, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark

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