title: Heartlift patients? An interview-based study of GP trainers and the impact of 'patients they like'.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The concept of the 'heartsink patient' is well known and much used when talking about general practice. The opposite of this type of patient, however, has been little explored.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To identify patient characteristics valued by GPs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Structured interview to collect narratives from GPs of individual patients, analysed qualitatively through thematic analysis and word frequency.
  
  
  METHODS
  Primary Care in Ireland.
  
  
  METHODS
  GP trainers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Emergent themes from four lead questions: Tell me about a patient you like, Tell me about the patient's personality, What have you learned about yourself as a GP?, What is different about being a GP as opposed to any other kind of doctor? In addition, a corpus linguistic analysis of word frequencies disclosed further themes, not identifiable on the surface of discourse.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ten themes were identified: GPs valued patients who were likeable, a challenge, involved them in negotiation of the doctor-patient relationship, were interesting or virtuous and had a positive effect. GPs valued their profession in that they were facilitators, gave and elicited loyalty, formed personal attachments and had a different perspective.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  'Heartlift patients' may be a robust concept, to counterbalance heartsink patients. Data collected are suitable for training, and could help GPs enhance a sense of vocation.
authors: Irish College of General Practitioners, 4/5 Lincoln Place, Dublin, Ireland. drmor@iol.ie
authors: Margaret
authors: M
authors: O'Riordan
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Skelton
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: de la Croix
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010821:Physicians, Family