The GP’s a stranger: an interpretive phenomenological analysis exploring patient experiences of changed access to primary care in the management of long-term conditions
IntroductionSelf-management is promoted as a mechanism for those with long-term health conditions to manage their condition day-to-day. Changes in access to primary care in the UK have led to an increased patient burden and reduced access to care.MethodsThis exploratory study considered the impact o...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Health Services |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frhs.2025.1473680/full |
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| author | Sandra Walker Tansy Daniel Mediha Yildizcan Jennifer Karen Roddis |
| author_facet | Sandra Walker Tansy Daniel Mediha Yildizcan Jennifer Karen Roddis |
| author_sort | Sandra Walker |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionSelf-management is promoted as a mechanism for those with long-term health conditions to manage their condition day-to-day. Changes in access to primary care in the UK have led to an increased patient burden and reduced access to care.MethodsThis exploratory study considered the impact of such changes for those managing long term physical and mental health conditions. An interpretative phenomenological analysis approach was adopted. Interviews were conducted with eight individuals affected by long-term physical and/or mental health conditions.ResultsOne overarching superordinate theme was identified as significant to all participants: The GP's a stranger. This superordinate theme was fundamental to five lower order themes: Role of GP; Fighting to gain access; Dismissed, depersonalised and devalued; Resourcefulness borne of desperation, and “There was something wrong”, which offered insights into the experiences of participants.DiscussionThose living with long-term conditions often know when they need to seek additional healthcare support however they shared multiple barriers to accessing this support when needed and reported that the lack of relationship with any health care professional in primary care affected their ability to trust any care advice they were given. Considerations of a new way of operating within a changed paradigm of primary care are explored. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d15cd0a5625f4c4fa748d02bfe7c6885 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2813-0146 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Health Services |
| spelling | doaj-art-d15cd0a5625f4c4fa748d02bfe7c68852025-08-20T02:29:27ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Health Services2813-01462025-04-01510.3389/frhs.2025.14736801473680The GP’s a stranger: an interpretive phenomenological analysis exploring patient experiences of changed access to primary care in the management of long-term conditionsSandra Walker0Tansy Daniel1Mediha Yildizcan2Jennifer Karen Roddis3School of Health and Care Professions, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, United KingdomSchool of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, United KingdomSchool of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, United KingdomSchool of Health and Care Professions, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, United KingdomIntroductionSelf-management is promoted as a mechanism for those with long-term health conditions to manage their condition day-to-day. Changes in access to primary care in the UK have led to an increased patient burden and reduced access to care.MethodsThis exploratory study considered the impact of such changes for those managing long term physical and mental health conditions. An interpretative phenomenological analysis approach was adopted. Interviews were conducted with eight individuals affected by long-term physical and/or mental health conditions.ResultsOne overarching superordinate theme was identified as significant to all participants: The GP's a stranger. This superordinate theme was fundamental to five lower order themes: Role of GP; Fighting to gain access; Dismissed, depersonalised and devalued; Resourcefulness borne of desperation, and “There was something wrong”, which offered insights into the experiences of participants.DiscussionThose living with long-term conditions often know when they need to seek additional healthcare support however they shared multiple barriers to accessing this support when needed and reported that the lack of relationship with any health care professional in primary care affected their ability to trust any care advice they were given. Considerations of a new way of operating within a changed paradigm of primary care are explored.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frhs.2025.1473680/fullinterpretive phenomenological analysispatient-centred healthcarelong-term conditionqualitativetrustexpert by experience |
| spellingShingle | Sandra Walker Tansy Daniel Mediha Yildizcan Jennifer Karen Roddis The GP’s a stranger: an interpretive phenomenological analysis exploring patient experiences of changed access to primary care in the management of long-term conditions Frontiers in Health Services interpretive phenomenological analysis patient-centred healthcare long-term condition qualitative trust expert by experience |
| title | The GP’s a stranger: an interpretive phenomenological analysis exploring patient experiences of changed access to primary care in the management of long-term conditions |
| title_full | The GP’s a stranger: an interpretive phenomenological analysis exploring patient experiences of changed access to primary care in the management of long-term conditions |
| title_fullStr | The GP’s a stranger: an interpretive phenomenological analysis exploring patient experiences of changed access to primary care in the management of long-term conditions |
| title_full_unstemmed | The GP’s a stranger: an interpretive phenomenological analysis exploring patient experiences of changed access to primary care in the management of long-term conditions |
| title_short | The GP’s a stranger: an interpretive phenomenological analysis exploring patient experiences of changed access to primary care in the management of long-term conditions |
| title_sort | gp s a stranger an interpretive phenomenological analysis exploring patient experiences of changed access to primary care in the management of long term conditions |
| topic | interpretive phenomenological analysis patient-centred healthcare long-term condition qualitative trust expert by experience |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frhs.2025.1473680/full |
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