"It does feel different when you're seeing a colleague": A qualitative study of general practitioners' experiences of treating doctor-patients

Background: Doctors have higher rates of burnout, suicide and substance use issues compared to the general profession and face numerous barriers to accessing medical care. Prior research has identified the need for improved guidance for treating doctors in caring for their doctor-patients. Aim: Exploring GPs’ experiences of caring for doctor-patients, we sought to identify insights to inform investment, policy and training initiatives to improve doctors’ health. Design and Setting: A qualitative study involving 22 GPs in Australia. Method: Semi-structured one-to-one interviews were transcribed and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Five themes emerged: (1) Barriers to doctor-patients seeking care are practical, professional, and psychological. (2) These barriers could be attenuated by adapting to doctor-patients’ expertise and maintaining professional boundaries, while being thorough and clarifying expectations. (3) Mandatory reporting is rarely required and may support impaired doctors’ recovery but can compromise the therapeutic alliance. (4) Nurturing a culture within the medical profession that values GP care and clearly defines the role of a regular GP, while normalising doctors’ help-seeking can encourage doctors to engage with ongoing GP care. (5) Treating doctor-patients can be highly rewarding for GPs. Conclusion: As doctors face increasing complexity and challenges within their professional landscape, there is a need to prioritise doctors’ health and encourage timely help-seeking. GPs are uniquely positioned to provide supportive care to their colleagues, and supportive infrastructure and cultural changes are needed to help GPs treat doctor-patients effectively and navigate medicolegal complexities.