Johanna Spiers
Barriers, facilitators, and survival strategies for GPs seeking treatment for distress: a qualitative study.
Spiers, Johanna; Buszewicz, Marta; Chew-Graham, Carolyn A; Gerada, Clare; Kessler, David; Leggett, Nick; Manning, Chris; Kathryn Taylor, Anna; Thornton, Gail; Riley, Ruth
Authors
Marta Buszewicz
Carolyn Chew-Graham c.a.chew-graham@keele.ac.uk
Clare Gerada
David Kessler
Nick Leggett
Chris Manning
Anna Kathryn Taylor
Gail Thornton
Ruth Riley
Abstract
BACKGROUND: GPs 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. AIM: To 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 SETTING: The 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. METHOD: Transcripts were uploaded to NVivo 11 and analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Barriers 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. CONCLUSION: Systemic 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.
Acceptance Date | Jul 13, 2017 |
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Publication Date | Sep 29, 2017 |
Publicly Available Date | Mar 29, 2024 |
Journal | British Journal of General Practice |
Print ISSN | 0960-1643 |
Publisher | Royal College of General Practitioners |
Pages | 700-708 |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp17X692573 |
Keywords | anxiety; burnout; professional; depression; general practice; mental health services; self-care |
Publisher URL | http://bjgp.org/content/67/663/e700/tab-article-info |
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