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

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.

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Journal
European Journal of General Practice
Published
2026-04-14
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/13814788.2026.2652678
Primary Topic
Primary Care and Health Outcomes
Type
article
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article

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

Jesús González-Lama, Kathryn Hoffmann, Zoi Tsimtsiou, Heidrun Lingner et al.
European Journal of General Practice
Primary Care and Health Outcomes
article

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

Jesús González-Lama, Kathryn Hoffmann, Zoi Tsimtsiou, Heidrun Lingner, Zalika Klemenc–Ketiš, Krzysztof Studziński, Torunn Bjerve Eide, Esther Van Poel, Didem Kafadar, Vinita Mahtani, Thomas Frese, Goranka Petriček, Heather Rogers, Adam Windak, Marion Tomičić, Sanda Kreitmayer, Erika Zelko, Ewa Wójtowicz, Rosa Magallón Botaya, Gorka Vuletić, Mehmet Ungan, Katarzyna Nessler, Radost Assenova, Sara Ares Blanco, Miguel J. Mora
article en

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.

European Journal of General PracticeVol. 32(1)
Ikerbasque (ES), Jagiellonian University (PL), University of Tuzla (BA), Ankara University (TR), University of Ljubljana (SI), University of Zagreb (HR), University of Oslo (NO), Wittenberg University (US), Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (GR), Universidad de Zaragoza (ES), Medical University Plovdiv (BG), Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón (ES), Ghent University (BE), Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (DE), University of Maribor (SI), Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria (ES), BioCruces Health research Institute (ES), Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (ES), Gobierno de Canarias (ES), Red de Investigación en Actividades Preventivas y Promoción de la Salud (ES), Fernández-Vega Ophthalmological Institute (ES), Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa (TR), Servicio Canario de la Salud (ES), Madrid Health Service (ES), Primary HealthCare (MT), Primary Health Care (QA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (ES), Link Institut (Switzerland) (CH), Croatian Hydrographic Institute (HR), University Clinical Center Tuzla (BA), Community Health Centre Ljubljana (SI), University of Osijek (HR), Cordoba University (US), Medical University of Vienna (AT), University of Split (HR)
Openalex Percentile: Top 25%
Primary Care and Health Outcomes
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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