Korean J Fam Med.  2010 Apr;31(4):275-283. 10.4082/kjfm.2010.31.4.275.

Qualitative Research on Experience of Primary Physicians Operating Their Primary Health Care Centers

• Lee D
• Yi MS
• Park EY
• Jo SH
• Park SM

• KMID: 2234214
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.2010.31.4.275

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The purpose of the study was to understand how family physicians managed their primary health care centers and to identify the factors for successful management of their privative clinics.
METHODS
The data was collected through individual interviews from five family physicians who operated their private clinics. All interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed into verbatim data. The data was analyzed using qualitative content analysis.
RESULTS
Three major categories were identified: 1) types of physician based on major value as a doctor; 2) difficulties in operation and management; 3) desirable operating strategies for success. The first category described what kinds of value the physicians pursued as they operated their private clinics. Two different types were identified. One was intrinsic value oriented and the other was extrinsic value oriented. The second category illustrated many difficulties that family physicians faced in operating and managing their private clinics. Lack of private time, social isolation, and gap between mission and reality of practice were identified as major difficulties. Desirable strategies for the successful management were four subcategories: location; self-oriented developmental plan; specialization of the services; and activating network with larger hospitals.
CONCLUSION
The results of the study would be helpful in setting up and operating private clinics through understanding the difficulties and strategies of primary physicians and recognizing mission and major value of them.

Keyword

Family Physicians; Private Practice; Qualitative Study; Office Management; Work Location

MeSH Terms

Humans
Missions and Missionaries
Office Management
Physicians, Family
Primary Health Care
Private Practice
Qualitative Research
Social Isolation
Workplace