Working behaviour of competent general practitioners: personal styles and deliberate strategies

To study how competent GPs perform their work within the consultation and in relation to the team and practice organization.

Ethnographic study with thick description. A participant observation of the GP was followed by a personal interview. A substantial description was elaborated that was analysed qualitatively.

Primary care surgeries in Sweden.

A number of competent GPs.

Two main categories emerged, deliberated strategy and personal style. These categories set up the individual pattern of working behaviour for each GP. A behaviour that is a deliberate strategy for one GP for the other belongs to his or her personal style. Common denominators in the overall working behaviour were attention to the patient as a person, practising patient-centred medicine, saving the consultations from disturbances, rejecting taking over responsibilities from the patients, and safeguarding own autonomy.

The transition of deliberate, favourable strategies into one's personal style is an important aspect of professional development. A well-developed personal style is necessary to obtain the spontaneous interchange between attentive listening and detachment characteristic of patient-centeredness.