Resilience: what is it, why do we need it, and can it help us?

Authors: Simon, C., Lown, M., Lewith, G. and Peters, D.

Journal: British Journal of General Practice

Volume: 65

Issue: 639

Pages: e708-e710

Publisher: Royal College of General Practitioners

ISSN: 1478-5242

DOI: 10.3399/bjgp15X687133

Abstract:

General practice is the ‘Jewel in the Crown’ of our NHS, providing universal, free health care for a smaller proportion of gross domestic product than other developed nations. It is one of the UK’s greatest social and political achievements. In her extensive research, Barbara Starfield clearly demonstrated that the health of a population is directly dependent on the quality of its primary care system.1 GPs have always been flexible, innovative, and resilient. They are powerful and effective advocates for professional excellence, high-quality medicine, 24-hour care, compassion, ‘family medicine’, and equality and social justice. But GPs en masse are now unable to cope with the administrative, emotional, and human demands they face, and this crisis is compromising our vocation and taxing our humanity.

Source: Manual