Faculty Collaboration Database

How physicians draw satisfaction and overcome barriers in their practices: "It sustains me". Patient Educ Couns 2017 Dec;100(12):2320-2330

Date

06/18/2017

Pubmed ID

28623052

DOI

10.1016/j.pec.2017.06.004

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85020685321 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   25 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Major reorganizations of medical practice today challenge physicians' ability to deliver compassionate care. We sought to understand how physicians who completed an intensive faculty development program in medical humanism sustain their humanistic practices.

METHODS: Program completers from 8 U.S. medical schools wrote reflections in answer to two open-ended questions addressing their personal motivations and the barriers that impeded their humanistic practice and teaching. Reflections were qualitatively analyzed using the constant comparative method.

RESULTS: Sixty-eight physicians (74% response rate) submitted reflections. Motivating factors included: 1) identification with humanistic values; 2) providing care that they or their family would want; 3) connecting to patients; 4) passing on values through role modelling; 5) being in the moment. Inhibiting factors included: 1) time, 2) stress, 3) culture, and 4) episodic burnout.

CONCLUSIONS: Determination to live by one's values, embedded within a strong professional identity, allowed study participants to alleviate, but not resolve, the barriers. Collaborative action to address organizational impediments was endorsed but found to be lacking.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Fostering fully mature professional development among physicians will require new skills and opportunities that reinforce time-honored values while simultaneously partnering with others to nurture, sustain and improve patient care by addressing system issues.

Author List

Branch WT Jr, Weil AB, Gilligan MC, Litzelman DK, Hafler JP, Plews-Ogan M, Rider EA, Osterberg LG, Dunne D, Derse AR, Pittman JR, Frankel RM

Authors

Arthur R. Derse MD, JD Director, Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MaryAnn C. Gilligan MD, MPH Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Burnout, Professional
Curriculum
Education, Medical
Empathy
Female
Humanism
Humans
Male
Mindfulness
Narration
Personal Satisfaction
Physician-Patient Relations
Physicians
Program Development
Qualitative Research
Resilience, Psychological
Self Concept
Social Identification