Helping distressed patients. A strategy for reducing the doctor's anxiety.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to test whether belonging to a counselling supervision group reduces the anxiety of doctors when dealing with emotionally distressed patients.


METHODS
Identical questionnaires were distributed to the counselling supervision group (the study group) and a matched control group in March and August 1997. Respondents were asked to rate their perceived level of anxiety when faced with nine clinical scenarios and their overall anxiety when dealing with emotionally distressed patients. The results were then compared.


RESULTS
The study group showed generally higher levels of anxiety than controls in the first questionnaire. There was a shift to lower reported levels of anxiety in the study group at the end of the supervision process. No similar change was observed in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Although sample size was too small to apply tests of statistical significance, it would appear that belonging to a counselling supervision group may reduce the anxiety of doctors dealing with emotionally distressed patients.
Phillipson
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D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires