Doctors' strategies to cope with the crisis in medical profession Estrategias de los médicos para hacer frente a la crisis de la profesión

Abstract

This article reviews the strategies of doctors to face the crisis perceived in medical practice. The results of a descriptive study are compared with current data in medical literature. In that preliminary report, where physicians in different settings of practice were interviewed, the authors found a great variety of strategies, from passive resignation and escape behaviors, to a proactive conduct of information search and analysis of the changes under way. All groups interviewed reported the importance of systematic reflection, the need of life options, of adopting healthy life styles and spirituality, as strategies to cope with professional frustrations.