Domestic abuse amongst female doctors: thematic analysis of qualitative interviews

Abstract

Background: Doctors can be victim-survivors of domestic abuse (DA) but it is not well understood how this impacts on their work and wellbeing, and whether they face barriers to seeking help. Aim: To understand single doctor mothers’ lived experience of DA, barriers to seeking help and impact on their work. Design and setting. Individual qualitative interviews with female doctors who had left an abusive relationship. Methods: Participants were invited via a closed online forum for female doctors who are single parents. 114 women expressed interest and 21 participated. In-depth semi-structured telephone interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Transcripts were uploaded to NVivo and analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Results: The internalised stigma of DA affected participants’ sense of identity and belonging as a doctor, causing social and professional isolation. Many participants felt that the acute stress of DA had an impact on their work, yet were often felt unable to take time off. Barriers to seeking help included lack of confidentiality especially where the abusive partner was also a doctor (sometimes accusing the victim-survivor of mental illness or threatening to report them to the GMC). Participants found peer support helpful, as well as consulting health professionals (HPs) who were empathic towards them. After they had left the abusive relationship victim-survivors felt better equipped to support patients going through DA.