To determine whether the change in working conditions related to the privatisation of Primary Health Care increased stress among GPs and to obtain insight into the most prominent stressors.

Two questionnaires (the Holmes and Rache social readjustment questionnaire and a special test for investigating stressors derivered by the “emic” method) were used. SUBJECTS: 120 GPs with private practices (response rate of 75%) and 90 hospital doctors (response rate 92%).

2/3 of participants in both subgroups were females. In both subgroups, around 1/2 of participants were up to 45 years old. Significant findings were that 30.3% of GPs reported progress having been made regarding their working place and finances, 78.8% reported that their work responsibilities had increased and 57.6% reported that they had changed their working hours and work conditions. 24.2% of GP s reported a reduction in the time spent with their families, 6.1% stated that their children had altered their behaviour in a negative manner, 26.3% of GPs stated that their partners had altered their behaviour for the better and only 16.2% took time off for sickness in the last three years. The most common stressors found were disruption to family life due to consultation with patients after working hours (46.9% cases) and feeling overloaded with new administrative commitments (68.4% cases).

Privatisation of PHC produced stress among GPs without severe negative consequences to the private lives and health of GPs.