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 psychological perspectives and their impact on coping strategies. Few ha...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-10-01
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| Series: | BMC Family Practice |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-021-01555-0 |
| _version_ | 1828311682586247168 |
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| author | Roger Ruiz Moral Diana Monge Martín Cristina Garcia de Leonardo Santiago Alvarez Montero Fernando Caballero Martínez |
| author_facet | Roger Ruiz Moral Diana Monge Martín Cristina Garcia de Leonardo Santiago Alvarez Montero Fernando Caballero Martínez |
| author_sort | Roger Ruiz Moral |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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 psychological 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 gratification 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 difficulties 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 satisfied with their work. However, they face problems (202 comments), including demanding patients, insensitive managers with unshared interests/care goals, excessive paperwork, work overload, or time pressures. Sources of gratification point to personal identity; clinical, relational, and collaborative efficiency; 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 essential 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 burnout nature and expand the type of action that promotes resilience. Further studies using a less structured qualitative research will be needed to confirm/expand these results. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T16:03:20Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-713b360734954728ba82a801917a6f20 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2296 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T16:03:20Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Family Practice |
| spelling | doaj.art-713b360734954728ba82a801917a6f202022-12-22T02:40:27ZengBMCBMC Family Practice1471-22962021-10-0122111210.1186/s12875-021-01555-0Medical resilience and morality: a survey study on the opinions and actions of exemplary family physiciansRoger Ruiz Moral0Diana Monge Martín1Cristina Garcia de Leonardo2Santiago Alvarez Montero3Fernando Caballero Martínez4Unidad de Educación Médica, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Framcisco de VitoriaUnidad de Educación Médica, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Framcisco de VitoriaUnidad de Educación Médica, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Framcisco de VitoriaUnidad de Educación Médica, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Framcisco de VitoriaUnidad de Educación Médica, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Framcisco de VitoriaAbstract 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 psychological 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 gratification 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 difficulties 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 satisfied with their work. However, they face problems (202 comments), including demanding patients, insensitive managers with unshared interests/care goals, excessive paperwork, work overload, or time pressures. Sources of gratification point to personal identity; clinical, relational, and collaborative efficiency; 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 essential 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 burnout nature and expand the type of action that promotes resilience. Further studies using a less structured qualitative research will be needed to confirm/expand these results.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-021-01555-0BurnoutResilienceProfessionalismMedical valuesQualitative researchMedical ethics |
| spellingShingle | Roger Ruiz Moral Diana Monge Martín Cristina Garcia de Leonardo Santiago Alvarez Montero Fernando Caballero Martínez Medical resilience and morality: a survey study on the opinions and actions of exemplary family physicians BMC Family Practice Burnout Resilience Professionalism Medical values Qualitative research Medical ethics |
| title | Medical resilience and morality: a survey study on the opinions and actions of exemplary family physicians |
| title_full | Medical resilience and morality: a survey study on the opinions and actions of exemplary family physicians |
| title_fullStr | Medical resilience and morality: a survey study on the opinions and actions of exemplary family physicians |
| title_full_unstemmed | Medical resilience and morality: a survey study on the opinions and actions of exemplary family physicians |
| title_short | Medical resilience and morality: a survey study on the opinions and actions of exemplary family physicians |
| title_sort | medical resilience and morality a survey study on the opinions and actions of exemplary family physicians |
| topic | Burnout Resilience Professionalism Medical values Qualitative research Medical ethics |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-021-01555-0 |
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