The specific needs of doctors with mental health problems: qualitative analysis of doctor-patients' experiences with the Practitioner Health Programme

Abstract

Objectives: The current paper aimed to explore doctor-patients' views about their treatment from the Practitioner Health Programme (PHP), a UK-based service treating health professionals with mental health/addiction problems. Aims were to gain insights into the issues most important to patients and consider whether a service specifically for doctors is important in helping to overcome barriers to accessing mental healthcare.

Methods: Nine doctor-patients attending PHP took part in semi-structured interviews between September 2010 and June 2011. Thematic analysis was used to explore recurring patterns in the data. 134 written comments from PHP patients were also included.

Results: Participants reported difficulties in finding appropriate treatment; problems were often severe by the time PHP was involved. Concerns about confidentiality, judgement and impact on career were obstacles to help-seeking and important issues during treatment. Analysis of written comments provided further support for these findings.

Conclusion: Whilst some of the needs of mentally unwell doctors mirror the needs of patients in general – e.g. a supportive and non-judgemental attitude from clinicians – they do have specific needs related to confidentiality and stigma.

• UK
• health professionals
• qualitative research
• mental health of doctors

Acknowledgements

We gratefully thank the patients who participated in the study, as well as doctors and staff at the participating general practice. Thanks are also given to Jane Haywood and Martin Black, the PHP staff who helped to recruit participants.

Declaration of interest

Trudie Chalder receives salary support from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) [Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London]. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health. The authors also gratefully acknowledge the NHS for funding the research into the Practitioner Health Programme and its evaluation.

C. Gerada directs the service and secured the funding for it. T. Chalder has treated some of the patients.