Strategies Australian junior doctors use to maintain their mental, physical and social well-being: a qualitative study

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to uncover the strategies that junior doctors implement to maintain their mental, physical and social well-being, and the barriers they experience in practising these strategies. PARTICIPANTS: Fifteen junior doctors in their postgraduate year 1 or 2 currently practising in Australia were recruited. OUTCOME MEASURES: Semistructured interviews were conducted, and the transcripts underwent thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three key themes emerged from thematic analysis, namely: well-being strategies, barriers to well-being and and future interventions. Exercise, a healthy and balanced diet, quality sleep, and workplace organisations were frequently reported well-being strategies. High workload, unpredictable routines, lack of familiarity with the healthcare system and ongoing stigma surrounding mental health were seen as barriers to well-being. Suggested interventions included increased control over rosters, subsidised access to facilities such as gyms and increased internship preparedness programmes organised by the medical schools. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study may assist in developing more personalised and targeted methods to help junior doctors maintain their mental, physical and social well-being. Future studies may address the structural and systemic changes required to develop a workforce that fosters the well-being of junior doctors and reduces the institutional barriers to practising well-being strategies.