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BACKGROUND: Given the critical role of general practitioners (GPs), their insufficient medical density and the adverse effects of burnout on both practitioners and the quality of care provided, the prevalence estimates of GP burnout reported in the literature are highly concerning. This nationwide study builds on a 2023 survey that revealed a significant burden of burnout among Czech GPs. The primary objectives were to analyse the prevalence and determinants of burnout and to examine potential trends over time. METHODS: In April 2024, 2,500 randomly selected GPs were emailed the Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey for Medical Personnel, supplemented with sociodemographic and job-related questions. The statistical analysis included a comparison with an identical study conducted a year earlier. RESULTS: Of the 765 completed responses (542 females, 223 males; mean age 55.5 years), 19.7% of the GPs experienced burnout in all three dimensions, 23% in two, 28.5% in one, and 28.8% in no dimension. Similar to 2023, the most common burnout dimension was a lack of personal accomplishment (PA, 52.2%), followed by emotional exhaustion (EE, 45.9%) and depersonalization (DP, 35.7%). Male and employed GPs experienced greater degrees of DP, while practice owners were more susceptible to EE. A positive dependence of burnout on the number of listed patients was identified. The proportion of GPs experiencing burnout across all dimensions decreased by 2.1% from 2023 to 2024 (p = 0.232), primarily in DP. Additionally, a 6.7% increase in GPs showing no signs of burnout in all dimensions (p = 0.002) further supported this positive trend. CONCLUSIONS: Between 2023 and 2024, the prevalence of burnout among GPs exhibited a modest decline. Nonetheless, it persists at almost 20%. Ensuring a sufficiently dense network of GPs, providing adequate resource allocation, and raising awareness of their importance are essential measures.

MeSH
Depersonalization epidemiology psychology MeSH
Adult MeSH
Middle Aged MeSH
Humans MeSH
Job Satisfaction MeSH
General Practitioners * psychology MeSH
Prevalence MeSH
Burnout, Professional * epidemiology psychology MeSH
Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
Check Tag
Adult MeSH
Middle Aged MeSH
Humans MeSH
Male MeSH
Female MeSH
Publication type
Journal Article MeSH
Geographicals
Czech Republic MeSH

Online article

Formation of a border ischemic zone depends on plasma potassium concentration

Canadian journal of physiology and pharmacology. 2024 ; 102 (5) : 331-341. [pub] 20231220

Can J Physiol Pharmacol
ISSN 1205-7541
Medvik
Source

Extracellular potassium concentration might modify electrophysiological properties in the border zone of ischemic myocardium. We evaluated the depolarization and repolarization characteristics across the ischemic-normal border under [K+] variation. Sixty-four-lead epicardial mapping was performed in 26 rats ([K+] 2.3-6.4 mM) in a model of acute ischemia/reperfusion. The animals with [K+] < 4.7 mM (low-normal potassium) had an ischemic zone with ST-segment elevation and activation delay, a border zone with ST-segment elevation and no activation delay, and a normal zone without electrophysiological abnormalities. The animals with [K+] >4.7 mM (normal-high potassium) had only the ischemic and normal zones and no transitional area. Activation-repolarization intervals and local conduction velocities were inversely associated with [K+] in linear regression analysis with adjustment for the zone of myocardium. The reperfusion extrasystolic burden (ESB) was greater in the low-normal as compared to normal-high potassium animals. Ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation incidence did not differ between the groups. In patch-clamp experiments, hypoxia shortened action potential duration at 5.4 mM but not at 1.3 mM of [K+]. IK(ATP) current was lower at 1.3 mM than at 5.4 mM of [K+]. We conclude that the border zone formation in low-normal [K+] was associated with attenuation of IK(ATP) response to hypoxia and increased reperfusion ESB.