An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis That Seeks to Describe and Understand the Personal Experience of Burnout in General Practitioners

Bibliographic Data

ID4613942
AuthorsLeonard Charles Mccammon (0000-0002-4202-3329, School of Nursing, Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Ulster University, Belfast, UK, corresponding author), Patricia Gillen (0000-0003-4097-4355, School of Nursing, Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Ulster University, Belfast, UK), Derek Mclaughlin (0000-0002-0039-587X, School of Nursing, Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Ulster University, Belfast, UK), W George Kernohan (0000-0002-1309-446X, School of Nursing, Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Ulster University, Belfast, UK)
Year2025
Volume35
Issue1
Pages118-131
Publication date2025-01-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueQualitative Health Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1049-7323 • E-ISSN: 1552-7557
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/10497323241260738
PMID39110487
OpenAlexW4401390104
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited50

Minimal research has explored the personal experience of burnout in doctors from any medical speciality. Consequently, we aimed to provide a relatable description and understanding of this globally recognised problem. We employed an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) of face-to-face interviews with seven general practitioners (GPs) in Northern Ireland, having selected interviewees best able to speak about burnout. We sought to understand how these GPs understood their burnout experiences. Our participants' continuous work involved more than their busy weekdays and also working on supposedly off evenings and weekends. In addition, draining intrusive thoughts of work filled most, if not all, of their other waking moments. There was no respite. Work was 'always there.' Being constantly busy, they had no time to think or attend to patients as doctors. Instead, participants were going through the motions like GP automatons. Their effectiveness, efficiency, and caring were failing, while their interactions with patients had changed as they tried to conserve their now-drained energy and empathy. There was no time left for their families or themselves. They now "existed" to continuously work rather than "living" their previous, more balanced lives that at one time included enjoying being a doctor. Worryingly, participants were struggling, isolated, and vulnerable, yet unwilling to speak to someone they trusted. We intend our burnout narrative to promote discussion between medical colleagues and assist in its recognition by GPs and other doctors. Our findings warn against working excessively, prioritising work ahead of family and oneself, and self-isolation rather than seeking necessary support

Burnout · Empathy · Feeling · Interpretative phenomenological analysis · Medical education · Narrative · Qualitative research · Respite care · Sociology · Applied Psychology · Clinical Psychology · Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout · Innovations in Medical Education · Medicine · Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation · Nursing · Psychology · Social Psychology

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