Almost half of Queensland Health doctors meet risk of burnout — survey says

Results are in from the Queensland Health Medical Workforce Wellbeing Survey to which more than 2000 doctors responded. Intended to provide a better understanding of Queensland Health doctors’ wellbeing and help target interventions where they are most needed, 33% of respondents were from regional, rural and remote areas.

“It is our responsibility to ensure the wellbeing of our workforce. This survey is just one of the many ways we are working to improve wellbeing, support workforce retention and ensure we continue to provide high-quality care,” said Dr Catherine McDougall, Queensland Chief Medical Officer.

“The survey not only highlighted the great work already underway to support staff but also provided us with detailed feedback on how doctors feel about their work environment and where improvements can be made.

“One of the key results was that 49% of clinicians surveyed met the threshold for risk of burnout, with burnout risk higher in rural and regional areas compared to metro areas,” McDougall said. “We know burnout in the medical profession is not unique to Queensland and it is an issue being faced by health systems across the globe.

“We recognise more needs to be done to support our workforce, and this survey is guiding meaningful change for the wellbeing of our medical workforce no matter where they are in Queensland.”

Other key results of the survey include that workload was ranked by participants as the key workplace driver that most negatively impacted their wellbeing, followed by organisational processes, resources, culture, support and supervision, and professional development; that an increase in staffing, flexible work arrangements, and improved access to leave and relief cover were among the changes wanted; and that rates of fulfilment were significantly higher in rural/remote locations compared to metropolitan and regional locations.

McDougall also said that the survey data and insights were now being turned into tangible outcomes. “System-level reform combined with targeted local initiatives are needed to address the survey results, but it is important these are introduced with extensive engagement and collaboration with staff,” McDougall said.

“Tailored reports will be provided to individual Hospital and Health Services for local leadership to review and action as an important first step,” McDougall added. “This will complement the workforce plan currently being developed following the Workforce Gap Analysis that identified significant shortages in key areas across the system.

“The new workforce plan will be the road map to grow the health workforce by 46,000 extra workers by 2032 and help build a future-ready workforce that feels supported and professionally fulfilled.”

On the survey, AMA Queensland President Dr Nick Yim said: “It tracks with our own 2025 Resident Hospital Health Check in showing higher levels of burnout and lower levels of professional fulfilment.

“We need to address these indicators to make sure we don’t lose the doctors we already have,” Yim added, also noting that a welcome revelation of the department’s survey was that non-metropolitan doctors reported significantly higher rates of professional fulfilment.

“We know doctors find enormous satisfaction in being trusted members of a community where they can see the positive impact of their work,” Yim said. “Finding ways for purpose to reduce pressure — both on the system and doctors — would be a powerful step forward.”

To assess how Queensland Health is progressing to implement change and improve wellbeing, the survey is expected to be undertaken again within two years.

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