ArticleThe British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners2025
Technostress, technosuffering, and relational strain: a multi-method qualitative study of how remote and digital work affects staff in UK general practice.
Article in The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 11 papers.
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Who cites it
11 citing papers in PubMed.
- Telehealth and access to acute primary care in Europe: Balancing opportunity and equity.The European journal of general practice · 2026Article
- Home-based telework and worker health and well-being across service occupations: A critical interpretive synthesis.SSM - population health · 2026Review
- How do digital access and remote consultations in primary care impact patients affected by domestic abuse?The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2026Article
- Teamwork and relational infrastructure: a qualitative study of modern UK general practice.The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2026Article
- English general practice in a period of change: a mixed-methods study of staff and patient perspectives.BJGP open · 2026Article
- Understanding persistent GP turnover using work and personal characteristics: a retrospective observational study.The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2026Observational
- GP workforce sustainability to maximise effective and equitable patient care: a realist review.The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2026Review
- Evolution of the general practice receptionist role and online services: a qualitative study.The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2025Article
- Job Demands and Resources Perceived by Dentists in a Digital Dental Workplace and Perceived Effects on Job Satisfaction and Stress: A Qualitative Study.Clinics and practice · 2025Article
- Digital maturity: towards a strategic approach.The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2025Article
- Case studies: a guide for researchers, educators, and implementers.BMJ medicine · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
11 authors.
Funding
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Abstract
backgroundThe introduction of remote and digital forms of working in UK general practice has driven the development of new routines and working styles.
aimTo explore and theorise how new forms of work have affected general practice staff. DESIGN AND
settingMulti-sited, qualitative case study in UK general practice.
methodUsing longitudinal ethnography by researchers in residence, we followed 12 practices for 28 months (September 2021 to December 2023). This core dataset was supplemented by workshops and stakeholder interviews. Data analysis applied theories from the sociology of work, organisation studies, and internet studies.
resultsStaff made significant efforts to adapt to and embed digital services into their work. When technologies work well they can offer improved convenience, efficiency, more comprehensive patient care, and workplace fulfilment for staff. However, for many clinical and administrative staff, compromises and frictions embedded in digitalised workplace routines and processes could also lead to job dissatisfaction, worsened wellbeing, and misalignments with professional values and identities. We found that this workplace suffering caused relational strain between team members and had an impact on team cohesiveness and coordination.
conclusionThe digitalisation of working routines in UK general practice poses a unique challenge to the workforce, risking technostress, workplace suffering, and increased relational strain within and between teams. To embed the benefits of digitalisation, we must first improve practice teams' readiness for change, which includes strengthening practices' relational structures that provide support during periods of adaptation. Practices must be empowered to determine a locally appropriate configuration of digital tools and given the resources and time to adapt working routines.
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