GP wellbeing is more than a tick box exercise

Syed et al discuss the New Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) indicators in England which seek to reward GP well-being through absence reporting, access to support services, and options for flexible working. Practices must also participate in peer review of a well-being quality improvement project. This activity will increase workload for GPs and practices already under enormous strain and its responsibility fall on the shoulders of overstretched GP partners and managers. No increase in overall QOF remuneration is on offer in return, potentially leaving GPs feeling pressured to misrepresent their well-being in order to maintain practice revenue. This could conflict with burned-out GPs' duty of probity or leave them fearing professional consequences of "not coping".