Stress and coping of the African-American physician

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the nature of work-related stress and coping experienced by African-American family physicians. Ten African-American family physicians across the state of Ohio were interviewed using a standardized open-ended format. Interview data were analyzed through an "editing" technique and QSR Nud*ist, a qualitative software program. Patterns and themes common to the interviews were identified. Stressors presented by research participants included experiences with racism in medicine, doubt, and a strong desire to prove oneself in the medical environment. Distinctive coping strategies involved spirituality, kinship, and the development of strength and perseverance in the face of adversity. Responses to general questions on stress and coping indicated difficulties with the shift toward managed care and use of "time for self, away from medicine" types of coping strategies. Results underscored the importance of culture and race in stress and coping processes, and suggested that programs and policies addressing the specific pressures faced by African-American physicians in training and practice need to be developed.