Summary of interviews done in summer 2005.
Prepared by Ilze Barone, Latvian EQuiP delegate
There are no particular organizations in our country with goal to support professional health of GPs.
However the only organization exists – the Latvian Family Physicians Association, which care for family doctors professional health within limits.
1) It takes care for GPs work conditions improvement
2) Disputes with politicians, keeps up the requirement of increase of primary care financing and strengthening the social guaranties
3) Provides with information on GP work legislation
4) Gives the moral support in case a family doctor shows initiative (makes an appointment with the president of association, have a conversation) The president of association gives particular support herself and there are no other person practising with that
5) Family Physicians Association organizes sports games for GPs together with their families every summer and Christmas ball in winter.
Latvian family doctors would desire a professional help in case of burnout:
1) psychologist consultations or specially trained person in professional health help. The consultations should be free of charge or at a symbolic fee, but they must be qualitative
2) Support groups. The small group of doctors sharing their experiencies, feelings, uncertainties, reflexions. Professional phsychologist could be involved. Sports events or leisure time could be spent collectively. At the weekend for instance.
How do Latvian GPs cope with burnout:
1) support of friends or like-minded fellows
2) aloneness for a lapse of time, deliberation
3) hobby
4) reduction of workload within limits
to make use a vocation that is important for Latvia’s GPs, because due to unfavourable primary care work organization many family doctors do not take a vocation at all.
