RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 What happens when doctors are patients? Qualitative study of GPs
JF British Journal of General Practice
JO Br J Gen Pract
FD British Journal of General Practice
SP 811
OP 818
DO 10.3399/bjgp09X472872
VO 59
IS 568
A1 Fiona Fox
A1 Michael Harris
A1 Gordon Taylor
A1 Karen Rodham
A1 Jane Sutton
A1 Brian Robinson
A1 Jenny Scott
YR 2009
UL http://bjgp.org/content/59/568/811.abstract
AB Background Current evidence about the experiences of doctors who are unwell is limited to poor quality data.Aim To investigate GPs' experiences of significant illness, and how this affects their own subsequent practice.Design of study Qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis to conduct and analyse semi-structured interviews with GPs who have experienced significant illness.Setting Two primary care trusts in the West of England.Method A total of 17 GPs were recruited to take part in semi-structured interviews which were conducted and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysisResults Four main categories emerged from the data. The category, ‘Who cares when doctors are ill?’ embodies the tension between perceptions of medicine as a ‘caring profession’ and as a ‘system’. ‘Being a doctor–patient’ covers the role ambiguity experienced by doctors who experience significant illness. The category ‘Treating doctor–patients’ reveals the fragility of negotiating shared medical care. ‘Impact on practice’ highlights ways in which personal illness can inform GPs' understanding of being a patient and their own consultation style.Conclusion Challenging the culture of immunity to illness among GPs may require interventions at both individual and organisational levels. Training and development of doctors should include opportunities to consider personal health issues as well as how to cope with role ambiguity when being a patient and when treating doctor–patients. Guidelines about being and treating doctor–patients need to be developed, and GPs need easy access to an occupational health service.