Describing How a Medical Career Impacts Physicians’ Couple Relationships: A Qualitative Content Analysis Exploring the Experiences of U.S. Physicians, Physicians-in-Training, and Their Partners

Abstract Those who enter the medical field are required to work extensive hours, invest significant money on their education, and can experience multiple relocations through different levels of training. The demands of a career in medicine may create work-to-family conflict that could lead to physicians and their partners seeking services for mental health concerns and/or relationship dissatisfaction. Systemically trained therapists are well suited to understand how the high career demands of the medical field influence the support systems of physicians, as well as advocate for third order change in educational and/or training systems that physicians are in to support the next generations of physicians. The purpose of this study was to highlight the unique experiences of those in physician relationships to understand how the work demands of a career in medicine impact their relationships. Data were collected from survey responses of individual participants ( n = 35) who are in a physician relationship lasting at least 6 months and included both medical and non-medical partners. Results revealed five themes and 17 subthemes which highlight the unique experiences of those in physician relationships. Results identify aspects of physician relationships that mental health clinicians can use to guide therapeutic work with these clients in couple’s therapy. Future research and clinical implications are discussed.