Doctors, including GPs, are currently experiencing high levels of stress and burnout (Orton, Orton et al. 2012). Doctors who experience stress or mental distress and have difficulties coping, are less satisfied at work and are less likely to meet patients’ clinical and psychosocial needs.  The UK currently has 65,000 registered General Practitioners and it is estimated that one in five (or 13,000) GPs currently experience some form of anxiety or depression. There is evidence that doctors are at greater risk of suicide compared with the general population, female doctors being at higher risk.

Evidence suggests that the provision of a timely, accessible and appropriate support service in London has been economically and clinically effective. Despite recommendations to improve the care pathways and support services for doctors, there is a paucity of empirical evidence examining how and if such recommendations have been implemented and whether (or not) doctors are benefiting from and accessing current provision.  Little is known about the organisational culture of general practice in terms of what helps and hinders GPs from seeking support.  Moreover, little is known about the barriers and facilitators to help-seeking and GPs’ experience of returning to work after sickness absence for mental distress.

Our methodology will employ qualitative methods, using in-depth interviews, to explore the barriers and facilitators to help-seeking by GPs.  Undertaking this research will enable us to not only understand the barriers and facilitators to help-seeking, but also to identify solutions so that current and future doctors can access suitable care when necessary – accessing timely, good quality care and enabling doctors to return to work is crucial in ensuring the mental health needs of doctors are met.