Heavy workloads are one of the factors causing compassion fatigue in British doctors. — AFP
Seven out of 10 British family doctors are worn out and suffering from “compassion fatigue”, finding it hard to empathise with their patients, a poll published on Jan 2 (2025) said.
The survey of 1,855 doctors across Britain carried out by the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland showed that a vast majority are physically and emotionally too exhausted to show much compassion to those seeking their help, the Guardian newspaper said.
Some 71% of general practitioners (GPs) and 62% of all doctors reported these findings, with those aged between 25 to 34 being the worst affected.
Family doctors are “particularly vulnerable” because of their “prolonged exposure to patients’ suffering and trauma” and their heavy workloads, the union’s chief medical officer Dr John Holden said.
The survey also found that 85% of GPs who had had suicidal thoughts blamed it on their working conditions, which have deteriorated due to a lack of resources.
Almost half of those polled – some 44% – feared their increasing lack of compassion could lead them to make a medical mistake.
Dr Holden warned that “compassion fatigue” could have an impact on patient safety.
ALSO READ: Burntout doctors twice as likely to be involved in patient safety incidents
The new British Labour government, elected in July (2024), has made fixing Britain’s creaking National Health Service a priority, including tackling ballooning waiting lists for treatment and stemming an exodus of staff.
It has promised to release some GBP22.6bil (about RM126bil) in extra resources by 2026 to help alleviate the crisis. – AFP Relaxnews
