Doctors' experiences when treating doctor-patients: a scoping review

Area of Science:

• Medical Professionalism
• Healthcare Provider Well-being
• Doctor-Patient Relationship Dynamics

Background:

• Physicians often delay seeking medical care, presenting unique challenges for their treating doctors.
• Existing evidence suggests treating doctors may struggle to provide optimal care to physician patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and synthesize the literature on the experiences of doctors treating physician patients.
• To identify key challenges and themes encountered by general practitioners (GPs) and other physicians in this role.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive scoping review was conducted using the JBI methodological framework.
• Searches were performed across five major databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Google Scholar, Scopus) up to December 2022.
• Qualitative and quantitative studies, guidelines, expert opinions, and editorials were included, alongside grey literature.

Main Results:

• Forty-eight articles from eight countries were included, with 12 being research studies.
• Key themes identified include affective responses (anxiety, concern), relational factors (boundaries, role ambiguity), confidentiality issues, and the influence of medical culture.
• Findings were synthesized into actionable suggestions for treating doctors.

Conclusions:

• Treating doctor-patients is frequently anxiety-provoking and complex for physicians.
• The multifaceted sources of discomfort require further empirical investigation.
• Understanding and addressing the unique doctor-doctor patient relationship is crucial for improved care.