Feelings of guilt and circles of support: Community physicians’ experiences following adverse events

Abstract

Background

Involvement in adverse events negatively impacts physicians and might harm their job performance and lead to emotional stress and burnout. Sources of support are therefore crucial, especially for community physicians who often work alone or in small clinics.

Objective

To examine community physicians’ feelings following adverse events and to map their various sources of support.

Methods

In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 community physicians, comprising 10 family physicians and 10 other specialists.

Findings

Interviewees described painful negative feelings following adverse events. Guilt was mentioned as the dominant emotion, accompanied by self-doubt, anger, frustration, and shame. They described various circles of support, both personal and professional, with whom they share and consult following adverse events: family members, friends, colleagues, clinic staff, risk management units, and other professional authorities. Support was described as most effective when given by those with whom the physicians had both personal and professional relations.

Conclusions

Formal support for “second victim” community physicians is essential, preferably from those with whom they have both personal and professional relations. Practical recommendations regarding how to better support them following adverse events are offered.