‘We are the barriers’: Danish general practitioners’ interpretations of why the existential and spiritual dimensions are neglected in patient care

• DOI: 10.1558/cam.32147
• Publication Date: 2018-03-28T02:59:21Z
• Authors: Elisabeth Assing ...; Jens Søndergaard; Dorte Gilså Hansen; Pål Gulbrandsen; Jette Ammentorp; Connie Timmermann; Niels Christian H...
• Keywords: Danish; Hermeneutics; Secularization; Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis; Holism

Although it is broadly recognized that health problems often involve existential and spiritual dimensions, recent research shows these aspects of illness are rarely attended to by professionals. Studies explain this in terms barriers communication, but professionals’ firsthand experiences interpretations have so far been largely unexplored. Drawing on the theoretical traditions phenomenology hermeneutics, present study presents Danish general practitioners’ (GPs’) why dimensions marginalized patient care. We conducted seven focus groups, constituting a total sample 31 GPs. Based analytic strategy Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), our analysis revealed GPs experienced interpreted individual as created fostered within dominant biomedical secular cultures characterized ‘solution focused’ ‘faith frightened’. Many further understand themselves barriers, because they enculturated into dominating cultures. discuss findings through concepts such ‘secondary socialization’, ‘system colonization’ ‘secularization’, suggest interventions might challenge current practice culture.