• Angela R Hiefner, Petra Constable, Kristin Ross, Dan Sepdham, and Joseph B Ventimiglia.
• From Family and Community Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX (ARH, PC, KR, DS, JBV). angela.hiefner@utsouthwestern.edu.
• J Am Board Fam Med. 2022 Jul 1; 35 (4): 716-723.

PurposeMeaning in work has been identified as an important factor promoting physician resilience against burnout. However, research has only minimally explored meaningful patient-physician relationships in relation to physician burnout, and has largely focused on patient perspectives. To address this knowledge gap, this study explored the elements of relationships with patients that physicians find meaningful, as well as physicians' perceptions of how those relationships influence experiences of burnout.MethodsIn this qualitative study, 20 family medicine physicians recruited via convenience and snowball sampling participated in semistructured interviews. The research team then engaged in an iterative process of thematic analysis.Results5 main themes emerged in participants' descriptions of meaningful relationships with their patients: Patient-centered care, continuity, effective care, trust, and purpose and mission. Participants described meaningful relationships as situated within a professional mission to connect with patients and make a difference in their lives. Meaning in these relationships centered around a trusting therapeutic relationship formed through continuity, person-centered care, and effective care. Participants strongly felt that meaningful relationships with patients are protective against burnout.ConclusionsThough many burnout interventions have targeted change at the individual (physician) level, a growing amount of evidence points to the need for change at the health system level. The findings of this study suggest that system-level interventions aimed at enhancing and prioritizing physicians' experiences of continuity and connection with their patients may be particularly impactful in efforts to reduce and prevent burnout.© Copyright 2022 by the American Board of Family Medicine.

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