Burnout and Psychosocial Risks Among Doctors Working in the Private Sector: The Role of Health and Wellbeing Resources

The increasing prevalence of private-sector work among doctors raises questions about its impact on their health and wellbeing. While private practice may offer autonomy and financial benefits, it presents unique psychosocial risks that are less understood. This study investigates the relationship between private-sector work, psychosocial working conditions, and burnout among doctors, and examines whether access to health and wellbeing resources changes these relationships. A cross-sectional survey with 509 doctors from 16 countries working either exclusively or partially in private practice assessed psychosocial risk factors (e.g., work demands, financial pressures, support, job control), and burnout, alongside access to and use of wellbeing resources. Results showed that more time in private practice was associated with higher work and financial demands, bullying, and burnout. Although access to health and wellbeing resources was initially linked to lower burnout, this relationship was not significant when psychosocial risk factors were accounted for. These findings suggest that support mechanisms are often reactive and insufficient in mitigating the impact of systemic demands. The study highlights the need for private healthcare employers to recognise their role in developing healthy work environments, and for organisational-level interventions to address the root causes of poor health and wellbeing among doctors in this sector.