Years of worsening levels of satisfaction and burnout are leading doctors to ‘take matters into their own hands’ to improve their wellbeing and reduce potential risk to patient care, the General Medical Council (GMC) warns in a new report.
The regulator’s latest annual report into the workplace experiences of doctors in the UK shows that doctors are increasingly taking steps themselves to address workload and capacity pressures.
The report found that higher proportions of doctors are reducing their hours (19% in 2023 and 18% in 2022, compared with 8% in 2021) and declining to take on additional work (41% in 2023 and 42% in 2022, compared with 23% in 2021).
Such moves can help safeguard patient care, for example by doctors not working additional hours if they are already exhausted. But the GMC warns that, if the trend continues unaddressed, the capacity of already stretched health services could be reduced even more, putting patients at risk. It says better solutions are needed urgently.
According to the latest data, one in three doctors (33%) were found to be ‘struggling’, meaning they are regularly working beyond their rostered hours and feeling unable to cope with their workload.
Almost a quarter of doctors (23%) took a leave of absence due to stress in the previous year, consistent with 2022 (22%), but up from 17% in 2021.
The GMC says high proportions of doctors saying they are ‘struggling’ presents risks to patients and the workforce.
Concerning patterns are seen across all groups, however some fare worse than others. Nearly half (48%) of GPs are struggling and consistently have worse experiences than others since the report began in 2019.
And disabled doctors also continue to report worse experiences than those without, being more likely to be dissatisfied in their work (44% vs 38%) and consider retiring early (13% vs 7%).
Charlie Massey, Chief Executive of the GMC said: "We know that when doctors are overworked and under supported there is a risk not only to doctors themselves, but also to patient care.
"These data show that more doctors are now taking matters into their own hands, not just to protect their own health and wellbeing, but that of their patients as well. For many, this will often be the only responsible course to deliver safe care. But this action comes with risks.
"We must be clear that doctors protecting their wellbeing is essential, but they shouldn’t feel their only option is to reduce their working hours. This presents challenges in capacity planning, adding further pressure to services that are already stretched."
The regulator says employers and healthcare bodies need to do more to support doctors now, while longer term solutions are developed by workforce planners to improve conditions.
The report says employers should:
- focus on developing more compassionate leadership
- create more supportive and inclusive environments, which are built on providing inductions for new joiners
- demonstrate that doctors and other healthcare professionals are properly valued
- make sure doctors feel empowered and listened to.
Mr Massey continued: "Employers and healthcare bodies must listen to the needs of their workforce and respond urgently. Targeted changes must be made to support the one in three doctors struggling to provide the care their patients deserve.
"If the UK’s health services are to retain more doctors, which will be vital to tackling waiting lists, then it is critical to reverse these extremely concerning trends. We need better, stronger, and more resilient healthcare services for the future."
To find out more, including previous reports, visit The state of medical education and practice in the UK.
