On working part-time

A UK GP’s perspective

Burnout is a massive problem in our profession at the minute. More doctors than ever before are looking to greener pastures abroad.

The causes are varied and nuanced; from income increase not keeping up with inflation to unprecedented workloads due to a global pandemic, many of us feel like factory workers at a production line, paid overtime in claps from a nation that is one minute grateful and the next unheeding of public health advice.

Continuity of care is being traded for access and there is a feeling of loss of control over our own decision-making. This comes at a high price — loss of control is classed as a severe stressor that plays a major role in burnout.

For me however, all of this was overshadowed by my health issues that had flared up after I had COVID twice. I was feeling constantly fatigued, with chest tightness and burning on walking even a few steps. I went part-time since I no longer felt I could provide safe patient care. This was back in early 2021. A year later and still slowly recovering from the after-effects of COVID, I am glad I did.

Because of the length of our training, we lack the ‘real world’ life experience of our nonmedical peers. Spending more time outside medicine has been particularly important for me in gaining a more balanced view of the world. I have spent more time with family and friends. I have delved into the world of finance in an effort to know more about the business side of general practice. I have taken up (occasional) writing and blogging.

All this has meant when I do go back to work, I feel refreshed and revitalised. The constant fog of mental fatigue that lay heavy on my mind has cleared. I no longer wake up in the mornings dreading the day ahead. And now I urge people ruing their choice of career — and I know a lot of people in that category — to consider going part-time before they decide to quit entirely.

I wax poetic about flexible working but I do understand it is not a panacea. Issues like under-recruitment, underappreciation, and overworking will continue to plague us for the foreseeable future. We are still considered ‘just GPs’ in the UK whereas other countries call doctors with our training ‘family medicine consultants’.

There is yet no light at the end of the tunnel. But I have found a window, and a small sliver of sunlight streaming through.