Values, stress, and coping among practicing family physicians
D. M. Post
Department of Family Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, USA.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the types of values, sources of stress, and methods
of coping in a sample of community-based practicing family physicians who
were determined as healthy and satisfied with their careers. DESIGN:
Qualitative study, combining an interview guide approach with a
standardized open-ended interview. SETTING: Offices of practicing
physicians in Ohio. PARTICIPANTS: A purposeful sample of 10 central Ohio
family physicians, ranging in age from their mid-30s to mid-60s; 8 were
married; 2 were African American; 3 practiced in a rural environment; 3
worked in a solo practice, 5 in a partnership, and 2 in a group practice.
The sample was identified by a knowledgeable informant, using a criterion
of success in coping with occupational stress and satisfaction with the
practice of medicine. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Patterns and themes common to
the interviews. RESULTS: Primary values presented by the sample included
caring, diversity, control, family, and spirituality. Sources of stress
involved overload, the nature of today's medical environment, and demanding
patients. Coping strategies consisted of problem solving, developing a
positive perspective, stress monitoring, support, and "time for self."
Stress was often produced when a conflict existed between the person and
the work environment. Stress was also created when the manifestation of
values was unhealthy and unbalanced. CONCLUSIONS: Research participants
described various learned strategies that enabled them to cope more
effectively with stress. These were often developed after personal struggle
with work or family. Results suggested that assessing the developmental
processes in physician stress and coping is important.
