Wellbeing 2: A National Study of Wellbeing of Hospital Doctors in Ireland
Then and Now…….Help Shape the Next Chapter
Doctors' wellbeing matters - for patients, teams, and for the healthcare system as a whole. Wellbeing 2 explores how doctors are coping today, ten years after the first landmark study.
A decade after the first national study, we want to explore the wellbeing of doctors working in Irish hospitals. Wellbeing 2 aims to answer this question and provide high quality data on the psychological and workplace wellbeing of doctors. Your participation will help us understand what has changed over the past ten years, and what still needs to improve to support doctors working in Irish hospitals today.
Did you know that 10 years ago in Irish hospitals…
- Doctors worked an average of 57 hours per week
- 82% of doctors experienced workplace stress, with 1 in 3 reporting burnout symptoms
- Only 22% of doctors had a good work–life balance
- Yet over 70% of doctors loved what they do and had a strong desire to practice medicine.
These were findings from the National Wellbeing Study of hospital doctors carried out in 2014. This study started the conversation of doctor wellbeing in Ireland and laid the groundwork for implementing wellbeing initiatives including establishing wellbeing committees in the postgraduate colleges.
What is the situation 10 years later? That’s what the Wellbeing 2 Study is here to find out.
Wellbeing 2 is:
- Measuring the personal and workplace wellbeing of hospital doctors
- A national study across specialties, including consultants, NCHDs and GP trainees in Irish hospitals
- Sponsored by RCPI and supported by all the other post-graduate medical training bodies.
- Using validated survey tools to ensure robust, high-quality results
- Anonymous and confidential
Our participant information leaflet describes the aims of the study, the methodology and what participation means for you.
One CPD credit will be awarded on completion of the survey, and you can enter a draw for one of 3 x €500 SWIRL® pre-paid debit cards.
Wellbeing 2 will provide high-quality data about the current state of doctor wellbeing which can be used to advocate for further changes and supports.
Your contribution is essential to ensure that the study truly reflects wellbeing across hospital doctors working in Ireland. If you consent to participate in this study, please complete the 15-minute online questionnaire by clicking on the link below or scanning the QR code at the bottom:
Please ensure your voice is heard!
A high response rate will increase the validity of the results and their power to improve the working lives of doctors.
Your experience matters. Help shape the future of doctor wellbeing in Ireland!
Additional Resources:
Prof Blánaid Hayes, MB, FRCPI, FFOM, FFOM(UK), MD, Consultant Occupational Physician
Dr Mary Teresa O'Neill, MB, MFOM, MD, Aspire Fellow, Specialist in Occupational Medicine
18th November 2025