The good doctor - strong and persevering

Area of Science:

• Medical Professionalism
• Healthcare Management
• Sociology of Medicine

Background:

• Limited research exists on physicians' personal perceptions of being a "good doctor."
• Doctors navigate complex competing interests from colleagues, patients, and employers.
• The development and regulation of the medical profession are well-documented, but physician self-perception is less explored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore senior consultants' and specialty registrars' perceptions of what constitutes a "good doctor."
• To understand the lived experiences and professional values of physicians in Norway.

Main Methods:

• Eight focus-group interviews and three individual interviews were conducted.
• Participants included senior consultants and specialty registrars in surgery, psychiatry, and internal medicine.
• Systematic text condensation was used for qualitative data analysis (N=48).

Main Results:

• "Professional dedication" emerged as a key theme, characterized by high workplace attendance and work capacity.
• "High work capacity" involved a willingness to exert extra effort, work overtime, and be highly effective.
• Senior consultants viewed their role as a "lifestyle," whereas registrars perceived it more as a "job."

Conclusions:

• Norwegian hospital doctors aspire to be perceived as professionally dedicated.
• Demonstrating dedication involves intensive, effective patient work and significant availability.
• Physician self-perception of "good doctor" is strongly linked to commitment and extensive work ethic.