Workload in general practice
Year: 2010
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: It has often been stated that the workload of general practitioners in the Netherlands had increased. However, empirical evidence for this statement was lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the current workload of Dutch GPs, to determine whether their workload has changed in the course of time, and, if so, to explain these changes. The central question of this chapter is: did the objective and subjective workload of Dutch GPs change between 1987 and 2001? We compared a range of workload measures between 1987 and 2001. Objective workload measures were derived from consultation registration, video observations and diaries kept by GPs. Subjective workload measures were derived from questionnaires filled out by GPs. Data about explanatory factors on patient level were collected via consultation registration and registration of socio-demographic characteristics. The average number of working hours dropped significantly from 53 in 1987 to 44 in 2001. In this period the average list size and the average consultation rate both rose by some 10%. Home visiting rates decreased while the number of telephone consultations rose. The number of hours spent in out of hours services has been decreasing due to a new organisation of out of hours shifts. Access to care has become more regulated and GPs delegate more tasks to their practice assistants. While GPs became less satisfied with financial aspects, like practice costs and income, they became more satisfied with the time available for professional education and leisure time. This seems to reflect the changes in the objective workload that took place. GPs spend less time on working but still handle a bigger care demand.
Author: Michael J. van den Berg
Institution: Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research
Language: English
Subfield: Family Practice
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2136491911