Physician you can heal yourself! Cognitive behavioural training reduces stress in GPs.
BACKGROUND
High stress and low morale is a well accepted and studied phenomenon in general practice.


OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to determine the benefits and mechanisms of stress management training in improving the psychological well-being and morale of GPs.


METHODS
There were 85 GPs in the treatment group and 25 GPs in the control group, all from the Adelaide metropolitan region. The treatment group GPs were surveyed by questionnaire before and after a 15 h cognitive behavioural stress management training programme.


CONCLUSIONS
The study found that following this training programme, GPs' quality of work life and morale improved while their work-related distress and general psychological distress decreased. These gains were maintained or further improved at 12 week follow-up. Furthermore, results suggested that the most robust long-term benefits came from developing a problem-focused style to cope with life and work events.
Gardiner
Maria
M
School of Psychology, Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042. maria.gardiner@flinders.edu.au
Lovell
Greg
G
Williamson
Paul
P
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001315:Australia; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control*