title: The specific needs of doctors with mental health problems: qualitative analysis of doctor-patients' experiences with the Practitioner Health Programme.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The current paper aimed to explore doctor-patients' views about their treatment from the Practitioner Health Programme (PHP), a UK-based service treating health professionals with mental health/addiction problems. Aims were to gain insights into the issues most important to patients and consider whether a service specifically for doctors is important in helping to overcome barriers to accessing mental healthcare.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine doctor-patients attending PHP took part in semi-structured interviews between September 2010 and June 2011. Thematic analysis was used to explore recurring patterns in the data. 134 written comments from PHP patients were also included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants reported difficulties in finding appropriate treatment; problems were often severe by the time PHP was involved. Concerns about confidentiality, judgement and impact on career were obstacles to help-seeking and important issues during treatment. Analysis of written comments provided further support for these findings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Whilst some of the needs of mentally unwell doctors mirror the needs of patients in general - e.g. a supportive and non-judgemental attitude from clinicians - they do have specific needs related to confidentiality and stigma.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychological Medicine , King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Weston Education Centre , London , UK , and.
authors.forename: Samantha K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Brooks
authors.affiliation: b Practitioner Health Programme, Riverside Medical Centre , Vauxhall , London , UK.
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gerada
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychological Medicine , King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Weston Education Centre , London , UK , and.
authors.forename: Trudie
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chalder
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D000066505:Help-Seeking Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: UK; health professionals; mental health of doctors; qualitative research