Table 1.

Doctors' experiences of the complaint: themes

Main themes	Doctors n/100	Example quote
1. Negative feelings toward the complainant or those managing the complaint	48	“I felt like a criminal when referred to the GMC when the complaint was clearly vexatious, altering MRI scans in 3 venues is physically impossible.”
2. Feelings of impotence, powerlessness, or helplessness	45	“The patient is at liberty to make unpleasant inaccurate and very personal accusations (I was unfairly accused of being racist) and the doctor has no means of redress.”
3. Emotional distress	42	“It was a stressful situation to be in, which significantly affected my work performance and the rest of my life.”
4. Positive feelings	23	“I had full support of colleagues, clear understanding of procedure, support and advice from Defence Union throughout the process.”
5. Negative feelings towards self	22
Being stigmatised or victimised	13	“Even if the complaint is found to have no foundation there is an ongoing stigma attached to it.”
Feelings of having failed or being incompetent	11	“Makes you feel worthless even when you know you've done the best you can”

GMC, General Medical Council; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging.