Résumé
Burnout is a work-related phenomenon that is not recognized as a disease, however health professionals intervene in the care. General practitioner (GP) is a central care actor and often the first medical contact. At the same time, the doctor may himself be subject to this problem of exhaustion. Burnout is a complex phenomenon. The identification of the essential points of care has the advantage of optimizing the effectiveness of care for those affected. Objective: explore the needs and expectations of patients consulting their general practitioner in the context of burnout care. Method: qualitative study with collection by individual interviews until saturation of data from patients suffering from burnout. Thematic analysis with triangulation by two researchers. Results: patients needed their GP in the initial phase, particularly for diagnosis and long-term follow-up. Understanding the individual and the different stages of burnout development was necessary for good management. This was possible in a relationship of trust between patient and doctor, where listening and communication were the foundations. The care proposals had to be explained and understood by the patient. The needs covered the somatic, psychological, and administrative domains, with in particular a distancing from work. A comprehensive person-centred approach was desired by patients. The organization of consultations had a significant impact on the care provided to the patient. Patients expected the GP to play a pivotal role in multidisciplinary care. Discussion: GP and institutions have an interest in taking into account the clearly identified expectations and needs of patients. However, the difficulties in the care are present without unequivocal solutions. The role of GP in the primary prevention of burnout needs to be better defined.