Working Daze: Fatigue in Australian General Practitioners
conference contribution
posted on 2014-07-22, 00:00authored byR Jarvis, K Price, Gerard GillGerard Gill, L Clearihan
Aims & rationale/Objectives
In Australia, there has been no research into fatigue in general practitioners (GPs). Of studies undertaken internationally, few have examined the impact of gender or non-work factors on fatigue despite differences in male and female work patterns and traditional roles outside the workplace. This study aims to identify work patterns, work and non-work factors associated with prolonged fatigue in Australian GPs.
Methods
Data was collected from 526 vocationally active GPs using a 10-minute online or hardcopy survey. Previously validated instruments were used in the survey including measures of fatigue (FAS), recovery and job demands and resources at work and home.
Principal findings
A high level of fatigue was found in Australian GPs (45%). Both male and female GPs had multiple risk factors for fatigue including high job demands and only moderate job resources. The major point of difference between male and female GPs was distribution of workload across the work and home domains, with reduced opportunity for recovery after work for female GPs. Fatigue was not associated with age, gender, rurality or having a family.
Implications
Fatigue has implications for workforce planning as well as doctor and patient safety. Identifying risk factors for fatigue is the first step in developing an evidence-based fatigue management strategy for an at-risk population.
Presentation type
Paper
History
Alternative title
Working Daze: Fatigue in Australian General Practitioners
Location
Canberra
Start date
2014-07-23
End date
2014-07-24
Language
English
Publication classification
EN.1 Other conference paper
Title of proceedings
2014 PHC Research Conference Abstracts and presentations