GPs’ perceptions of resilience training: a qualitative study

Background: GPs are reporting increasing levels of burnout, stress and job dissatisfaction, and there is a looming GP shortage. Promoting resilience is a key strategy for enhancing the sustainability of the healthcare workforce and improving patient care. Aim: To explore GPs’ perspectives on the content, context and acceptability of resilience training programmes in General Practice, so as to build more effective GP resilience programmes. Design: The study design was qualitative, with data collected from two focus groups and seven one-to-one telephone interviews. Method: Focus groups (n=15) and interviews (n=7) explored the perspectives of currently practising GPs in England, recruited through convenience sampling. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview approach and analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Participants perceived resilience training to be potentially of value in ameliorating workplace stresses. Nevertheless, uncertainty was expressed regarding how best to provide training for stressed GPs who have limited time. Participants suspected GPs most likely to benefit from resilience training were the least likely to engage, as stress and being busy worked against engagement. Conflicting views were expressed about the most suitable training delivery method for promoting better engagement. Participants also emphasised that training should not just place the focus on the individual, and should also focus on organisation issues. Conclusion: A multi-modal, flexible approach based on individual needs and learning aims, including resilience workshops within undergraduate training and in individual practices, is likely to be the optimal way to promote resilience. How this fits in • Resilience training is one of a number of potential tools to tackle the current unprecedented challenges in primary care. • Although resilience training is acceptable to GPs, a major challenge is improving access to training for those most in need. • A multi-modal, flexible approach based on individual and practice needs/learning aims is an ideal way to increase access to resilience training. • Organisational approaches to resilience are vital: an exclusive focus on improving individual coping risks sidestepping the systemic challenges shaping primary care