Original Research

Support for rural practice: female physicians and the life–career interface

AUTHORS

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Kimberly Stutzman
1 MD, FAAFP, Program Director

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Ruth Ray Karpen
2 PhD, Affiliate Faculty

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Pragna Naidoo
3 BS, Master of Health Science Student

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Sarah E Toevs
4 PhD, Professor and Director *

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Amanda Weidner
5 MS, Research Scientist

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Ed Baker
6 PhD, Professor and Director

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David Schmitz
7 MD, Chief Rural Officer; currently Professor and Chair

AFFILIATIONS

1 Family Medicine Residency of Idaho, 777 N Raymond Street, Boise, ID 83704, USA. Present address: Family Medicine Residency of Idaho Nampa, 215 E Hawaii Ave, Nampa, ID 83686, USA

2, 4 Center for the Study of Aging, Boise State University, 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID 83725-1835, USA

3 Boise State University, 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID 83725-1835, USA

5 Family Medicine Residency Network, University of Washington, 4225 Roosevelt Way NE, Suite 308, Seattle, WA 98195-4696, USA

6 Center for Health Policy, Boise State University, 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID 83725-1835, USA

7 Family Medicine Residency of Idaho, 777 N Raymond Street, Boise, ID 83704, USA. Present address: School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, 1301 North Columbia Road, Grand Forks, ND 58201, USA

ACCEPTED: 4 October 2019


early abstract:

Introduction: The need for family physicians in rural areas across the United States and Canada is a long-standing issue that has been well documented.   Since family physicians constitute the largest population of rural practitioners, the problem has been exacerbated by a sharp decline in medical students’ interest in the field of family medicine and the aging of the current rural workforce.  Previous research has shown that female physicians in rural areas need strong support networks to maintain a healthy work-life balance.  The purpose of this study was to better understand the types of support they need and how they find it, as well as how their needs change over time.

Methods: Twenty physicians from the same rurally focused family medicine residency were interviewed over a three-month period using a semi-structured format.  Physicians ranged in experience from one year out of residency to 25 years out of residency.  Using a phenomenological approach, interviews were transcribed and then coded and analyzed by three members of the research team, one of them an experienced qualitative researcher, who met periodically to reflect on the process of coding.  Emergent subthemes and themes were discussed by the  multidisciplinary team.

Results: The participants discussed in detail the types of support they relied on and the continuing challenges of maintaining a healthy work-life interface.  Main themes included the need to select carefully one’s life partner and practice partners and the difficulties in setting up practice in an area without family, friends or professional mentors nearby.  Although forming boundaries was important, so was developing close relationships with patients and their families.   The one thing that sustained all of the physicians was a meaningful relationship with their patients.  The doctor-patient connection is what brings joy and helps every one of them cope with the harder aspects of life in rural areas.

Conclusions: The general consensus of respondents was that the career-life interface varies across individuals, changes over time and is always a work in progress.   Rural female physicians think of their work in relational terms, and it involves a great deal of emotional labor.  Support systems mitigate the psychological effects of this labor and help physicians develop resilience in managing both career and life.  Educators can better prepare female physicians by discussing the costs and benefits of emotional labor and the necessity of support networks, as well as how to negotiate a contract that is consistent with one’s values, practice style and family life.