Medical resilience and morality: a survey study on the opinions and actions of exemplary family physicians

Abstract

Background: Studies conducted to understand how family doctors develop resilience and deal with the challenges posed by work-related stress, usually have focused on identifying the elements that generate resilience from psycho logical perspectives and their impact on coping strategies. Few have explored the role that personal qualities and values that traditionally motivate family physicians can play as drivers of well-being and resilience. Objectives: To explore attributes that exemplary family physicians (EFP) consider important for their work and the elements that, for them, are source of gratifcation and resources in the face of the adversities they encounter in their practice. Methods: This is an exploratory study carried out by online survey. Eighty six doctors regarded as exemplary by their colleagues answered 7 close and 4 open-ended questions that explored their job satisfaction, the elements of their work that reward them, the difculties and problems they usually encounter, the resources they use to cope with those problems, and the personal qualities they consider central to their work. Four researchers conducted a thematic (deductive and inductive) analysis of the free text responses received. Based on the results obtained, and through an iterative discussion process, the researchers proposed an integrated set of qualities at the core of their professionalism. Results: 88.4% (76) of the doctors said they were satisfed with their work. However, they face problems (202 com ments), including demanding patients, insensitive managers with unshared interests/care goals, excessive paperwork, work overload, or time pressures. Sources of gratifcation point to personal identity; clinical, relational, and collabora tive efciency; a holistic and comprehensive practice (centred on individuals); and a continuous search for excellence (149) and the root of their resources (135). These elements, in turn, corresponded to the attributes considered essen tial for the practice of family medicine (131). Conclusions: For EFPs, certain professional values give meaning to their clinical practice and are a source of well being and resources. This central focus on professional values and qualities can help for better understand the burn out nature and expand the type of action that promotes resilience. Further studies using a less structured qualitative research will be needed to confrm/expand these results.