Facing the struggle alone; Insights into the experience of PhD scholars in Pakistan.

Objective: Explore the key challenges encountered by PhD scholars in Pakistan and the coping strategies they employ to address these challenges. Method: A qualitative phenomenological approach with purposive sampling was used to conduct six in-depth interviews with PhD scholars and five in-depth interviews with the supervisors. Guiding questions were searched from the literature, authenticated by three experts in the Medical Education Department of Khyber Medical University, and piloted before implementing the study. The duration of the study was two years. Data was recorded verbatim using a Dictaphone. Transcription was done through transcriber software. Thematic analysis was performed. Results: Four themes were extracted, namely: Always alone in the struggle (subtheme: experience), Progress, not perfection (subtheme: enablers), confined by the invisible walls (subtheme: inhibitors/barriers), and the Key to Success (subtheme: recommendations). Conclusion: PhD is a lonely journey with many ups and downs during its progression. Enablers contain essential skills, dedication, and a robust support system. Socioeconomic status, marital status, and financial limits strongly influence this journey. Recommendations include financial support, workshops, encouraging self-reliance, and excellent time management. Understanding these factors provides a framework for establishing policies to enhance PhD scholars' success in the unique setting of developing nations like Pakistan.