Burned Out GPs Eye Early Retirement: Bertelsmann Foundation Report
Approximately 25% of primary care physicians express a desire to retire earlier, as per the Bertelsmann Foundation's findings. - Approximately 25% of family physicians are anticipated to retire early, according to the Bertelsmann Foundation.
The stressful workload and excessive bureaucracy are driving one in four general practitioners (GPs) in Germany to consider retiring earlier than planned, according to a report by the Bertelsmann Foundation.
Overburdened by administrative tasks and heavy workloads, many GPs are seeking a less stressful work environment with reduced bureaucracy and more flexible hours to extend their stint in the profession. On average, GPs in Germany work an extra 10 hours weekly compared to the national average, clocking in at 44 hours per week.
However, the Bertelsmann Foundation suggests that a decrease in the number of GP practices does not automatically equate to deteriorating care. Uwe Schwenk, the foundation's director, points out that the quality of care depends on the time the GP spends with patients—an area with significant untapped potential.
According to a joint survey by the Bertelsmann Foundation and the University of Marburg, GPs spend around 80% of their time on consultations and home visits. The remaining time is allocated to administrative tasks, additional training, or other activities.
In light of the planned primary care system in the coalition agreement, the Bertelsmann Foundation advocates for administrative relief. GPs are envisioned to serve as central hubs, regulating access to specialist practices. Schwenk argues that effective control over patient flows is crucial, but relieving GPs of these responsibilities will also be necessary to maintain their focus on patient care.
To achieve this, the Bertelsmann Foundation proposes leveraging digital solutions, such as managing appointments, data exchange, diagnostics, and treatment processes. However, it's essential that these digital solutions run smoothly in daily practice, as technical issues currently plague many practices. More than a quarter of surveyed GPs report encountering daily software malfunctions within their practices.
In addition to digital solutions, non-medical professions, like medical assistants or nursing staff, could alleviate the workload by taking on medical tasks. Almost seven out of ten surveyed GPs rate this potential relief as high.
The survey was conducted among approximately 3,700 GPs in Germany by the Infas Institute on behalf of the Bertelsmann Foundation and the University of Marburg. The survey results, representative of the population, were collected from November 2024 to February 2025.
The Association of GPs calls for relief in practices and supports the need for bureaucracy reduction, functional digitization, and a stronger shift of tasks to practice teams. Moreover, general practice should be emphasized in medical studies to promote young talent.
Meanwhile, the German Foundation for Patient Protection voices concerns over the proposed primary care system, arguing it risks compromising care for vulnerable population segments, such as the elderly, care-dependent, and seriously ill individuals. Before implementing patient steering, the foundation stresses the need for a needs-based distribution of doctors.
Enrichment Data:
Strategies to alleviate bureaucratic burden and workload for GPs can include:
- Digitalization: Implementing digital tools and electronic health records can help streamline administrative tasks, reducing paperwork and time spent on documentation.
- Continuity of Care: Ensuring continuity of care, as noted by the American Academy of Family Physicians, can help maintain patient relationships and reduce the need for repetitive assessments and documentation.
- Simplification of Regulatory Requirements: Streamlining and simplifying regulatory requirements can reduce the administrative load on healthcare providers.
- Increased Administrative Support: Providing additional administrative support staff can help doctors focus more on patient care and less on paperwork.
- Training and Education: Offering training and education on efficient administrative processes can further reduce the workload.
These strategies could potentially align with the goals of reducing bureaucratic burdens, though specific proposals from the Bertelsmann Foundation and the University of Marburg are not extensively detailed in their report.
To reduce burnout among GPs, the Bertelsmann Foundation suggests emphasizing digital solutions for managing appointments, data exchange, diagnostics, and treatment processes, known as digitalization. This strategy is intended to minimize administrative tasks and paperwork.
The Foundation also proposes improving workplace wellness by incorporating mental health consideration, suggesting that leveraging mental health resources in general practice could be beneficial for GPs, who often deal with stressful and emotionally taxing situations.
In pursuit of a more holistic approach to healthcare, the Foundation advocates for vocational training programs focused on science, health and wellness, including medical conditions, technology, and workplace wellness. This training could provide GPs with the necessary skills to navigate the digital healthcare landscape and address the complex mental health challenges they face in their profession.
