Physicians' Experiences With Life-Threatening Illness and Return to Work: A Qualitative Study

There is a paucity of research on the experiences of physicians who attempt to transition back to work after a life-threatening illness or medical event. Given ongoing shortages, support of these physicians can impact workforce sustainability. Understanding the experience of physicians during this time of transition and the support that they need is essential.

To elucidate the individual experiences of physicians who have had life-threatening illnesses or medical events, including their attempts to return to work and the tensions they encountered.

This qualitative study used narrative inquiry to conduct semistructured interviews with physicians who (1) experienced a life-threatening illness or medical event, (2) were in active clinical practice as a board-certified physician at the time of diagnosis of the illness or medical event, and (3) attempted to transition back to work (successfully or unsuccessfully). Participants were solicited through broad-reaching emails across professional networks, advertisement in institutional newsletters, and posting on institutional advertisement boards. Interviews occurred from October 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025, virtually or in-person, according to participant preference. Data were analyzed using narrative analytic approaches.

Twenty-two physicians participated (age range, 43-77 years; 12 [55%] female). Participants described how their professional and patient identities often clashed. Tensions arising from this clash clustered around 5 thematic categories: loss of authority or control, dismantling the illusion of invincibility, identity questioning and reformation, knowledge as a benefit and a burden, and institutional practices as moderators for returning to work. The leave policies, supports offered, and sensitivity of the leadership teams were key in participants' abilities to return to work and how they felt about themselves during and after their return.

This qualitative study found that physicians with life-threatening illness often experienced clashes in their professional and personal identities. This study's results suggest that health care institutions should consider shifting from procedural to relationship-centered return-to-work policies and interactions during this critical time of transition to better support and retain physicians in the workforce.