The impact of professional characteristics and person-centred care on general practitioners’ stress levels. Findings from the cross-sectional PACE GP/FP study in 24 European countries
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: General practitioners (GPs) face numerous challenges that can contribute to stress. Understanding these factors is crucial for developing interventions to support physician wellbeing and maintain high-quality care. OBJECTIVES: The study aims to explore the factors associated with perceived stress among European GPs, including attitudes towards person-centred care (PCC), demographics, and professional characteristics. METHODS: The PACE GP/FP study is an online, cross-sectional, multi-centred survey conducted in 24 European countries between November 2022 and January 2024. The survey tool included the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Patient-Practitioner Orientation Scale (PPOS), and questions on GPs' demographics and practice characteristics. Linear mixed models analysed the relationship between these variables and perceived stress. RESULTS: In total, 3522 GPs were included in the analysis. The mean PSS score indicated moderate levels of stress. Female gender and younger age were associated with increased stress. Also, a higher number of daily patient contacts and a greater perceived responsibility for vulnerable patient populations (e.g. migrants, those with limited social support, or psychiatric vulnerabilities) were significantly associated with higher stress. A stronger patient-centred orientation was associated with lower perceived stress. CONCLUSION: The findings have implications for interventions to reduce GP stress, such as training programs promoting PCC, optimising patient contact rates, and providing targeted support for GPs caring for vulnerable patients. Further research is needed to explore these factors' complex interplay and impact on GP wellbeing.
Authors: Katarzyna Nessler, Krzysztof Studzinski, Zalika Klemenc-Ketiš, Heather L. Rogers, Torunn Bjerve Eide, Sara Ares Blanco, Heidrun Lingner, Sanda Kreitmayer, Jesús González-Lama, Esther Van Poel, Didem Kafadar, Kathryn Hoffmann, Thomas Frese, Radost Assenova, Mehmet Ungan, Gorka Vuletić, Erika Zelko, Rosa Megallón-Botaya, Marion Tomičić, Fatima Mendez Lopez, Zoi Tsimtsiou, Miguel J. Mora, Vinita Mahtani, Ewa Wójtowicz, Adam Windak, Goranka Petriček
Institutions: Jagiellonian University, College of Physicians of Philadelphia, University of Ljubljana, University of Maribor, Community Health Centre Ljubljana, Ikerbasque, BioCruces Health research Institute, University of Oslo, Madrid Health Service, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, University of Tuzla, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba, University of Córdoba, Ghent University, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul University, Medical University of Vienna, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Medical University Plovdiv, Ankara University, University of Osijek, Johannes Kepler University of Linz, Universidad de Zaragoza, Klinički Bolnički Centar Split, University of Split, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Servicio Canario de la Salud, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, University of Zagreb
Language: English
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,563
OpenAlex ID: W7154337566