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Work-Related Psychosocial Demands and Resources in General Practice Teams in Germany. A Team-Based Ethnography

Author

Listed:
  • Elena Tsarouha

    (Institute of Occupational and Social Medicine and Health Services Research, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Tuebingen, Wilhelmstr. 27, 72074 Tuebingen, Germany
    Equal contributions.)

  • Christine Preiser

    (Institute of Occupational and Social Medicine and Health Services Research, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Tuebingen, Wilhelmstr. 27, 72074 Tuebingen, Germany
    Centre for Public Health and Health Services Research, Core Facility for Health Services Research, University Hospital Tuebingen, Osianderstr. 5, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
    Equal contributions.)

  • Birgitta Weltermann

    (Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus. 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany)

  • Florian Junne

    (Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University Hospital Tuebingen, Osianderstr. 5, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany)

  • Tanja Seifried-Dübon

    (Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University Hospital Tuebingen, Osianderstr. 5, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany)

  • Felicitas Stuber

    (Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University Hospital Tuebingen, Osianderstr. 5, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany)

  • Sigrid Hartmann

    (Institute of Occupational and Social Medicine and Health Services Research, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Tuebingen, Wilhelmstr. 27, 72074 Tuebingen, Germany)

  • Andrea Wittich

    (Occupational Psychologist and Psychotherapist, Tuebingen, Germany)

  • Monika A. Rieger

    (Institute of Occupational and Social Medicine and Health Services Research, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Tuebingen, Wilhelmstr. 27, 72074 Tuebingen, Germany)

  • Esther Rind

    (Institute of Occupational and Social Medicine and Health Services Research, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Tuebingen, Wilhelmstr. 27, 72074 Tuebingen, Germany)

Abstract

General practices are established microenterprises in Germany providing a variety of preventive and therapeutic health care services and procedures in a challenging working environment. For example, general practice teams are confronted increasingly with work-related demands, which have been associated with poor psychological and physical outcomes. It is therefore important to gain a better understanding of issues related to occupational health and safety for personnel working in the primary care setting. This study aims to gain an in-depth understanding of psychosocial demands and resources in the primary care setting. We applied an ethnographic design, comprising a combination of participating observations, individual interviews with general practitioners (GPs) ( N = 6), and focus group discussion with practice assistants and administrative staff ( N = 19) in five general practices in Germany. A grounded theory approach was applied to analyze all data. Our results identified psychosocial demands and resources exemplified mainly along two typical tasks in GP practices: the issuing of medical prescriptions and blood sampling. Main psychosocial demands included factors related to work content and tasks, organization of work, and the working environment. For example, daily routines across all practices were characterized by a very high work intensity including disturbances, interruptions, delegation, and the division of labor between GPs and practice staff. Work-related resources comprised the staff’s influence on aspects related to work organization and social support. The triangulation of methods and data formats allowed the disclosure of interconnectedness between these factors. Although work processes in general practices are complex and required to comply with legal regulations, there are opportunities for practice owners and practice teams to establish working procedures in ways that reduce psychosocial risks and strengthen work-related resources.

Suggested Citation

  • Elena Tsarouha & Christine Preiser & Birgitta Weltermann & Florian Junne & Tanja Seifried-Dübon & Felicitas Stuber & Sigrid Hartmann & Andrea Wittich & Monika A. Rieger & Esther Rind, 2020. "Work-Related Psychosocial Demands and Resources in General Practice Teams in Germany. A Team-Based Ethnography," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-19, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:19:p:7114-:d:421005
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Annegret Dreher & Mirjam Theune & Christine Kersting & Franziska Geiser & Birgitta Weltermann, 2019. "Prevalence of burnout among German general practitioners: Comparison of physicians working in solo and group practices," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(2), pages 1-13, February.
    2. Lara Wiesche & Matthias Schacht & Brigitte Werners, 2017. "Strategies for interday appointment scheduling in primary care," Health Care Management Science, Springer, vol. 20(3), pages 403-418, September.
    3. Johnson, J.V. & Hall, E.M., 1988. "Job strain, work place social support, and cardiovascular disease: A cross-sectional study of random sample of the Swedish Working Population," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 78(10), pages 1336-1342.
    4. Anja Viehmann & Christine Kersting & Anika Thielmann & Birgitta Weltermann, 2017. "Prevalence of chronic stress in general practitioners and practice assistants: Personal, practice and regional characteristics," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(5), pages 1-13, May.
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    2. Viola Mambrey & Patricia Vu-Eickmann & Peter Angerer & Adrian Loerbroks, 2021. "Associations between Psychosocial Working Conditions and Quality of Care (i.e., Slips and Lapses, and Perceived Social Interactions with Patients)—A Cross-Sectional Study among Medical Assistants," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-15, September.
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