Almost one in seven of Scotland’s doctors are at risk of burnout, despite being more content in their daily work than other parts of the UK, a new report shows.

Published today, a report from the General Medical Council (GMC) reveals that 59% of doctors surveyed in Scotland said they were satisfied in their day-to-day work compared to 53% across the UK.

Doctors in Scotland also reported feeling supported by senior medical staff (68% compared with 61% of UK doctors), and that clinical leaders were readily available (60% compared with 54%).

Yet, around three in five Scottish doctors surveyed reported working over their rostered hours at least once a week.

Despite feeling more content with daily work, almost half of Scotland’s doctors reported being likely to reduce their contracted hours which the GMC says is to avoid burnout and reduce the potential risk to patient care.

The regulator highlights that while reporting higher work satisfaction than the rest of the UK, the level is still lower than it was in 2021, when 69% of Scotland’s doctors reported being satisfied with day-to-day work.

If this trend continues, the GMC warns that ‘already stretched’ health services could see capacity reduced even more.

Charlie Massey, Chief Executive of the GMC, says:

“We know that when doctors are overworked and under supported there is a risk not only to doctors themselves, but also to patient care.

“These data show that more doctors are now taking matters into their own hands, not just to protect their own health and wellbeing, but that of their patients as well.  For many, this will often be the only responsible course to deliver safe care. But this action comes with risks.

“We must be clear that doctors protecting their wellbeing is essential, but they shouldn’t feel their only option is to reduce their working hours. This presents challenges in capacity planning, adding further pressure to services that are already stretched.”

While fewer doctors in Scotland than the UK average were found to be at imminent risk of burnout, 14% of Scotland’s doctors remain at high risk.

Despite a nine-percentage point drop from the year before, the GMC says more must be done to support doctors now.

Almost one in three Scottish doctors (31%) reported they had felt unable to cope with their workload and 69% reported working beyond their rostered hours at least once a week.

Tackling the workforce crisis

The report comes after repeated warnings from doctors’ representatives of a “continued workforce crisis”, with recent calls for a discussion on NHS reform which can deliver real and tangible change.

The British Medical Association (BMA) Scotland says urgent solutions are needed for the future of the NHS that move away from the current “sticking plaster approach” in place of long-term solutions.  

While longer term solutions are being developed to improve conditions across the NHS, the GMC says employers and healthcare bodies ‘need to do more to support doctors now’.

Despite the more positive picture overall, doctors in Scotland were more likely than others in the UK to cite patient flow or bed pressures as a barrier to patient care (63% compared with the 56% UK average).

Four in five doctors in Scotland also reported inadequate staffing remains a key barrier.

The report also outlines the ‘crucial’ importance of addressing burnout and fatigue by ensuring medical staff can take proper rest breaks, get refreshments and have appropriate support in place.

The GMC says employers should develop more compassionate leadership, demonstrate that doctors and other healthcare professionals are ‘properly valued’, and create more supportive, inclusive environments.

Mr Massey says employers and healthcare bodies ‘must listen’ to the workforce and respond urgently:

“Targeted changes must be made to support the one in three doctors struggling to provide the care their patients deserve.

“If the UK’s health services are to retain more doctors, which will be vital to tackling waiting lists, then it is critical to reverse these extremely concerning trends. We need better, stronger, and more resilient healthcare services for the future.”

The Scottish government says it is working with healthcare leaders and staff to address concerns raised by the workforce.

Read more: “Constructive talks” on Scottish doctors' pay underway; Snapshot of NHS recovery revealed; Workforce and public to inform NHS reform; A ‘dispiriting picture': mental health and human rights in prisons; Scheme for GPs to help lost patients extended; Urgent workforce reforms needed for Scotland's NHS