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Stress among general practitioners and their spouses: a qualitative study
1Department of Psychology and Speech Pathology, Manchester Metropolitan University.
Summary
General practitioners face significant work and home stressors impacting their families. Spouses experience stress due to doctors' excessive work commitment and communication issues, highlighting a need for better work-life balance.
Area of Science:
- Medical Sociology
- Occupational Health Psychology
Background:
- Limited research exists on stress experienced by spouses of general practitioners (GPs).
- Understanding spousal stress is crucial for holistic family well-being in the medical profession.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify work and home stressors for GPs and their spouses.
- To explore coping strategies employed by GPs and their families.
Main Methods:
- Conducted in-depth interviews with 25 general practitioners and their spouses.
- Exploratory study focused on the north-west of England.
Main Results:
- Increased GP workload and reduced family engagement are key family stressors.
- Time pressure, on-call duties, lack of support, and paperwork contribute to GP stress.
- Role conflict and concerns about excessive work commitment were reported by spouses.
Conclusions:
- Contractual changes compel GPs to prioritize practice over family needs.
- Male GPs delegate domestic responsibilities, while female GPs balance both.
- Findings offer in-depth insights into GP and spousal stress, despite small sample size.