What happens when doctors are patients? Qualitative study of GPs

Fox, Fiona; Harris, Michael; Taylor, Gordon; Rodham, Karen; Sutton, Jane; Robinson, Brian; Scott, Jennifer

doi:10.3399/bjgp09x472872

Cited by 48 publications

(74 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Findings reveal the multifaceted nature of cancer professional‐patients' experiences, reflecting the interplay between the health professional's scientific knowledge and typical cancer patient concerns. Corroborating previous research on professional‐patients' broader illness experiences, cancer professional‐patients noted that their background facilitated their navigation of the healthcare system and allowed for more active participation in care, yet also led to discomfort adopting a patient role and heightened anxiety regarding the limitations of treatment (Fox et al, ; Fromme et al, ; Prenkert et al, ). Also supporting previous findings, cancer professional‐patients outlined practice changes including better patient‐provider communication, increased empathy, more attempts to empower patients and a greater involvement in care (Fox et al, ; Klitzman, ; Woolf et al, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

Is ignorance bliss, or is knowledge power? When cancer healthcare professionals become cancer patients

Lagad

Hodgkinson²,

Newton‐John

2019

Eur J Cancer Care

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Cancer healthcare professionals who are diagnosed with cancer enter the patient journey with considerable illness‐specific and healthcare expertise, which may influence the nature of their experience. Insights gained from having personal cancer experience may also lead to changes in professionals' subsequent clinical practice. This study explored cancer professional‐patients' experiences of their own cancer diagnosis, changes in practice, and recommendations for cancer care improvements. Participants were current or former cancer healthcare professionals who had ever received a cancer diagnosis. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 26 participants. Thematic analysis with an inductive approach was used for data analysis. Cancer professional‐patients faced unique needs, benefits and disadvantages due to their professional background, which both aided and marred their personal cancer experience. Individuals reported subjective practical and emotional‐related improvements in their clinical practice, although adverse emotional consequences upon returning to work were also prevalent. Care recommendations highlighted the importance of communication skills training for professionals, integrating psychological support, and providing patient‐centred care. In order to provide optimal care for cancer professional‐patients, providers must acknowledge their distinct challenges. Findings may help to foster improvements in cancer care practices through developing guidelines for treating cancer professional‐patients, and as part of narrative‐based medicine.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

Is ignorance bliss, or is knowledge power? When cancer healthcare professionals become cancer patients

Lagad

Hodgkinson²,

Newton‐John

2019

Eur J Cancer Care

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“…They encouraged their patients to ask questions and express thoughts (Klitzman , Fox et al . ). They considered the necessity of possible tests and examinations before prescribing to their patients (Woolf et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Healthcare‐professional patients’ conceptions of being ill and hospitalised – a phenomenographic study

Prenkert

Carlsson

Svantesson

et al. 2017

Journal of Clinical Nursing

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“…Existing qualitative work has tended to use smaller samples. 6,21,22 or examine the experiences of GPs in different parts of the world. 17 The study aimed to address these limitations by eliciting a larger group of English GPs' feelings concerning what helps and hinders them in receiving support for their chronic stress or distress, hence giving greater weight to the intrinsic, rather than extrinsic, value of GP wellbeing.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Barriers, facilitators, and survival strategies for GPs seeking treatment for distress: a qualitative study

Spiers¹,

Buszewicz²,

Chew‐Graham

et al. 2017

Br J Gen Pract

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BackgroundGPs are under increasing pressure due to a lack of resources, a diminishing workforce, and rising patient demand. As a result, they may feel stressed, burnt out, anxious, or depressed.AimTo establish what might help or hinder GPs experiencing mental distress as they consider seeking help for their symptoms, and to explore potential survival strategies.Design and settingThe authors recruited 47 GP participants via e-mails to doctors attending a specialist service, adverts to local medical committees (LMCs) nationally and in GP publications, social media, and snowballing. Participants self-identified as either currently living with mental distress, returning to work following treatment, off sick or retired early as a result of mental distress, or without experience of mental distress. Interviews were conducted face to face or over the telephone.MethodTranscripts were uploaded to NVivo 11 and analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsBarriers and facilitators were related to work, stigma, and symptoms. Specifically, GPs discussed feeling a need to attend work, the stigma surrounding mental ill health, and issues around time, confidentiality, and privacy. Participants also reported difficulties accessing good-quality treatment. GPs also talked about cutting down or varying work content, or asserting boundaries to protect themselves.ConclusionSystemic changes, such as further information about specialist services designed to help GPs, are needed to support individual GPs and protect the profession from further damage.

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What happens when doctors are patients? Qualitative study of GPs

Abstract: BackgroundCurrent evidence about the experiences of doctors who are unwell is limited to poor quality data. AimTo investigate GPs' experiences of significant illness, and how this affects their own subsequent practice.

Cited by 48 publications

References 14 publications

Is ignorance bliss, or is knowledge power? When cancer healthcare professionals become cancer patients

Is ignorance bliss, or is knowledge power? When cancer healthcare professionals become cancer patients

Healthcare‐professional patients’ conceptions of being ill and hospitalised – a phenomenographic study

Barriers, facilitators, and survival strategies for GPs seeking treatment for distress: a qualitative study

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