A qualitative study of how doctors use impression management when they talk about stress in the UK

Thompson, Neill; Corbett, Sally; Welfare, Mark

doi:10.5116/ijme.5274.f445

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…However, factors other than economic compensation may have greater influence on presenteeism behaviors among hospital physicians. Concern over patient care (Gudgeon et al, 2009), difficulties in arranging cover (McKevitt et al, 1997), and the role identity that physicians are invincible (Henderson et al, 2012;Thompson et al, 2013) may all be challenges that are inherent to the work environment and may influence presenteeism.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Research has focused on identifying occupational, personal, and work factors in the medical profession that contribute to presenteeism among physicians (Gudgeon et al, 2009;Henderson et al, 2012;McKevitt et al, 1997;Rosvold & Bjertness, 2001;Sendén et al, 2013;Thompson et al, 2013;Waldron, 1996). An often overlooked aspect is possible societal level antecedents that are the result of welfare benefits such as paid sick leave.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Paid Sick Leave as a Means to Reduce Sickness Presenteeism Among Physicians

Rostad

Fridner

Sendén

et al. 2017

NJWLS

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Paid Sick Leave as a Means to Reduce Sickness Presenteeism Among Physicians

Rostad

Fridner

Sendén

et al. 2017

NJWLS

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“…This may imply that they have acquired important experiences in order to work as doctors in the future, however it may also indicate an element of denial of difficulties encountered [ 23 , 47 , 81 ]. It has been suggested that doctors tend to trivialise or normalise their experiences of stress as a form of impression management to demonstrate professionalism [ 82 ] This attitude has the potential to maintain negative workplace culture for future residents [ 83 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Endured and prevailed: a phenomenological study of doctors’ first year of clinical practice

Coakley

O’Leary²,

Bennett³

2023

BMC Med Educ

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Context The challenging nature of the transition from medical student to doctor is highlighted by the associated negative consequences to new doctors’ mental health and wellbeing. Enhanced understanding of the lived experience of recent medical graduates as they move through the stages of transition over the first year of practice can inform interventions to ease the difficulties encountered. Methods Using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), a novel approach to this topic, we explored the lived experience of transition from student to doctor over the first year of practice after graduation. Twelve new graduates were purposively recruited. We conducted semi-structured interviews at the end of their first year of practice with respect to their experience over the first year. Results The experience of transition was characterised by overlapping temporal stages. Participants’ initial adjustment period was characterised by shock, coping and stabilisation. A phase of development followed, with growth in confidence and a focus on self-care. Adversity was experienced in the form of interprofessional tensions, overwork, isolation and mistreatment. Finally, a period of reflection and rationalisation marked the end of the first year. Discussion Following initial anxiety regarding competence and performance, participants’ experience of transition was predominantly influenced by cultural, relational and contextual aspects of clinical practice. Solutions to ease this challenging time include stage-specific transitional interventions, curricular change at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels and a re-evaluation of the clinical learning environment to mitigate the difficulties endured.

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“…Our findings reflect the evidence that doctors frequently normalise, minimise, deflect or downplay how stressed they feel, which may preclude help-seeking and the availability of appropriate support. 36 Strikingly, one GP participant normalised the way they routinely ruminated on their suicidal thoughts, with other participants indicating that they were living and coping on a day-to-day basis with symptoms of chronic stress, anxiety and depression, ranging from sleeplessness to persistent anxiety. Evidence indicates that chronic stress negatively impacts on physical health and is a key risk factor for mental illness, including anxiety and depression, and can lead to the adoption of maladaptive coping mechanisms such as nicotine, alcohol, and illicit drug use.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘Treading water but drowning slowly’: what are GPs’ experiences of living and working with mental illness and distress in England? A qualitative study

et al. 2018

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ObjectivesThis paper provides an in-depth account of general practitioners’ (GPs) experiences of living and working with mental illness and distress, as part of a wider study reporting the barriers and facilitators to help-seeking for mental illness and burn-out, and sources of stress/distress for GP participants.DesignQualitative study using in-depth interviews with 47 GP participants. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, anonymised and imported into NVivo V.11 to facilitate data management. Data were analysed using a thematic analysis employing the constant comparative method.SettingEngland.ParticipantsA purposive sample of GP participants who self-identified as: (1) currently living with mental distress, (2) returning to work following treatment, (3) off sick or retired early as a result of mental distress or (4) without experience of mental distress. Interviews were conducted face to face or over the telephone.ResultsThe findings report GP participants’ in-depth experiences of distress and mental illness with many recollecting their distressing experiences and significant psychological and physical symptoms relating to chronic stress, anxiety, depression and/or burn-out, and a quarter articulating thoughts of suicide. Many talked about their shame, humiliation and embarrassment at their perceived inability to cope with the stresses of their job and/or their symptoms of mental illness.ConclusionsThese findings paint a concerning picture of the situation affecting primary care doctors, with participants’ accounts suggesting there is a considerable degree of mental ill health and reduced well-being among GPs. The solutions are complex and lie in prevention and provision. There needs to be greater recognition of the components and cumulative effect of occupational stressors for doctors, such as the increasing workload and the clinical and emotional demands of the job, as well as the need for a culture shift within medicine to more supportive and compassionate work environments.

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A qualitative study of how doctors use impression management when they talk about stress in the UK

Cited by 4 publications

References 40 publications

Paid Sick Leave as a Means to Reduce Sickness Presenteeism Among Physicians

Paid Sick Leave as a Means to Reduce Sickness Presenteeism Among Physicians

Endured and prevailed: a phenomenological study of doctors’ first year of clinical practice

‘Treading water but drowning slowly’: what are GPs’ experiences of living and working with mental illness and distress in England? A qualitative study

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