The overarching aim of our research is to explore physician wellbeing and the role of emotions in medical practice. Our main focus is to provide a comprehensive understanding of how emotions are present in physicians’ everyday practice, how they are managed, and the impact they may have on both the wellbeing of physicians and the quality of patient care. We are also interested in exploring the expectations of patients and family members regarding emotions, the potential influence of self-reflection on emotions and communication, and how the topic of physicians’ own emotions is integrated in the teaching of medicine. These questions will be answered in general, but also within the specific context of end-of-life care.

The main significance of this study lies in its timeliness and in its comprehensive approach to a complex subject in medicine. It responds to current and future challenges of caring for an ageing population at a time when new technologies place greater challenges on decision making and on the physician’s ability to communicate with their patients.