Cross-sectional study of the association between empathy and burnout and drug prescribing quality in primary care

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess whether burnout and empathy levels among general practitioners (GPs) might influence prescribing performance assessed using pharmaceutical prescription quality standard indicators. Design and Setting: Cross-sectional descriptive study of 108 GPs from 22...

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Detalhes bibliográficos
Autores: Yuguero Torres, Oriol, Marsal Mora, Josep Ramon, Esquerda i Aresté, Montse, Galván, Leonardo, Soler González, Jorge
Formato: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2020
País:España
Recursos:Universitat de Lleida (UdL)
Repositorio:Repositori Obert UdL
OAI Identifier:oai:repositori.udl.cat:10459.1/69117
Acesso em linha:https://doi.org/10.1017/S1463423619000793
http://hdl.handle.net/10459.1/69117
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palavra-chave:Burnout
Empathy
Ethics
Pharmacy
Prescription
Primary health care
Descrição
Resumo:Objective: The aim of this study was to assess whether burnout and empathy levels among general practitioners (GPs) might influence prescribing performance assessed using pharmaceutical prescription quality standard indicators. Design and Setting: Cross-sectional descriptive study of 108 GPs from 22 primary care centers in Lleida, Spain, and of centralized data corresponding to 183 600 patients under their care. The study was conducted between May and July 2014. Main Outcome Measures: Burnout and empathy were measured using the Spanish versions of the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Jefferson Scale for Physician Empathy, and prescribing quality was measured using the Catalan Pharmaceutical Prescription Quality Standard (EQPF). Normal distribution of scores was verified using the Chi-square and Kolmogorov–Smirnov–Lilliefors tests. The effect of each of the variables was evaluated using crude odds ratios. Results: Older GPs scored significantly higher in the EQPF (P < 0.05). High empathy scores were positively associated with high EQPF scores. GPs with low burnout also performed better in the EQPF. Conclusions: More empathic, less burned-out, older GPs showed better prescribing performance according to quality indicators. However, further studies are needed to evaluate other factors influencing prescribing habits. The promotion of communication skills may increase empathy and reduce burnout, thus benefiting patients.