Could breaks reduce general practitioner burnout and improve safety? A daily diary study.
Hall LH, Johnson J, Watt I, et al. Could breaks reduce general practitioner burnout and improve safety? A daily diary study. PLoS ONE. 2024;19(8):e0307513. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0307513.
Provider burnout has been increasing, particularly since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and numerous interventions are being investigated to reduce it. This study used daily diaries from primary care physicians to investigate the association between breaks during the workday and burnout, well-being, and patient safety perceptions. Results indicate that taking a break is associated with lower disengagement that day and lower exhaustion the next day. A break that includes a positive interaction also improves perceptions of patient safety.