Difficult Encounters Experienced by Family Physicians and the Coping Methods They Employ: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine difficult encounters and the practice of medicine among family physicians (FPs). Method: The research was conducted as a cross-sectional study using a questionnaire between 15 June and 15 July, 2019. The questionnaire included sociodemographic characteristics, difficult situations that may be encountered, and methods of coping with such situations. Three hundred twenty-five FPs took part in the study. Results: The FPs reported being most frequently troubled by "requests for unnecessary reports" and "patients requesting unindicated tests". FPs described male gender, age 31- 40, possession of a moderate income level, being married, and being a civil servant as the patient characteristics most frequently causing difficulties. The mean length of time spent with an ordinary patient was 7.4 +/- 0.1 minutes, but this rose to 12.6 +/- 0.3 in case of difficult patients. The coping method most frequently employed by FPs in the face of difficult encounters was empathy. Ninety-two percent of the FPs reported experiencing a communication problem with patients at least once a year. Only 22.5% of FPs reported having taken part in training regarding managing difficult situations. Conclusion: FPs frequently experience difficult encounters. The most frequent of these involve demanding, frequently presenting patients with numerous complaints. The principal reason for FPs experiencing difficult encounters was found to be problems in the health service. Although empathy was the most frequently employed coping method, a lack of on the was also identified.