Burnout prevalence in 2012, 2018 and 2024 among general practitioners in Norway and factors associated with burnout

BACKGROUND: Burnout among General Practitioners (GPs) is a growing concern, with implications for physician well-being, patient care quality, and healthcare system sustainability. However, we lack studies of burnout among GPs in Norway. OBJECTIVE(S): To examine the prevalence of burnout among GPs in Norway in 2012, 2018 and 2024 and subsequently identify demographic, health-related, and work-related factors associated with burnout in 2024. METHODS: Data were drawn from the Norwegian Physician Panel, a nationally representative survey conducted in 2012, 2018, and 2024. Response rates exceeded 71% in all waves. Only respondents identifying as GPs were included. Burnout was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Index. Prevalence was reported descriptively. Logistic regression was employed to examine associations between overall burnout, emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and personal accomplishment and the following independent variables: age, sex, weekly work hours, self-rated health, sick leave, presenteeism, job satisfaction and work-related stress. RESULTS: Overall burnout increased from 5.8% in 2012 to 17.1% in 2018, reaching 21.8% in 2024. The proportion of GPs with high emotional exhaustion rose from 19.1% to 47.2%, and the proportion with high depersonalization from 2% to 24% over the same period, whereas those reporting low personal accomplishment became relatively fewer, going from 16.4% to 6.3%. In 2024, burnout was significantly associated with low job satisfaction, high work-related stress, and frequent sickness presenteeism. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of burnout among Norwegian GPs has increased markedly from 2012 to 2024. Addressing modifiable factors such as work-related stress, job satisfaction, and sickness presenteeism is essential for sustaining physician well-being and maintaining patient care quality.