I thought to share some thoughts whilst we gear up for the winter.
Winter is a challenging time for everyone, but for GPs, the pressures can be particularly intense. The combination of increased illness, staff shortages, and longer waiting times can create a perfect storm of stress and burnout. I think we have all seen an increased workload: the flu season hits hard, and GPs are often the first line of defense. This means longer hours, more patients, and less time for breaks. This is made worse by leave. Naturally annual leave is expected but the sick leave, holidays, and burnout can lead to staff shortages. This can put an even greater strain on GPs and other healthcare professionals. I remember this particularly well during Covid and who remembers the pingdemic!
Whenever I am asked to speak to the media, I always try to humanize the medical caregiver’s role so people know we are human too!
