A qualitative exploration of burnout prevention and reduction strategies for general practice registrars.

Abstract

Burnout interventions for trainee doctors have typically overlooked specialty-specific factors as well as presumed centralised training models. The aim of this study was toexplore stakeholders' views of burnout interventions within Australian general practice training, where both factors are pertinent. Forty-seven trainees, supervisors, medical educators and program coordinators from a regional training organisation participated in interviews and focus groups. Template analysis, informed by grounded theory, was used. Strategies were identified for registrars (eg prioritising replenishing activities), practices (eg providing psychological supports), training organisations (egengaging with trainees) and the medical system (egdestigmatising poor wellbeing). Ineffective strategies (egtokenistic interventions) were also highlighted, albeitto a lesser extent. Stakeholders reiterated that burnout prevention and management require both individual and organisational-level change. Specific strategies for practices (eg consideration of workload issues and supports) and training organisations (eg structural changes to training requirements) are delineated, which, in combination, may enhance intervention efficacy within a decentralised training system.