Abstract
BackgroundAn increasing number of newly trained Dutch GPs prefer to work in a group practice and as a non-principal rather than in a single-handed practice. In view of the greater number of female doctors, changing practice preferences, and discussions on future workforce problems, the question is whether male and female GPs were able to realise their initial preferences in the past and will be able to do so in the future.MethodsWe have conducted longitudinal cohort study of all GPs in the Netherlands seeking a practice between 1980 and 2004. The Netherlands Institute of Health Services Research (NIVEL) in Utrecht collected the data used in this study by means of a postal questionnaire. The overall mean response rate was 94%.ResultsOver the past 20 years, an increasing proportion of GPs, both male and female, were able to achieve their preference for working in a group practice and/or in a non-principal position. Relatively more women than men have settled in group practices, and more men than women in single-handed practices; however, the practice preference of men and women is beginning to converge. Dropout was highest among the GPs without any specific practice preference.ConclusionThe overwhelming preference of male and female GPs for working in group practices is apparently being met by the number of positions (principal or non-principal) available in group practices. The preference of male and female GPs regarding the type of practice and job conditions is expected to converge further in the near future.
Highlights
An increasing number of newly trained Dutch GPs prefer to work in a group practice and as a non-principal rather than in a single-handed practice
The proportion of female GPs without a specific preference dropped from 12% to 5%, most likely in favour of a preference for working in a group practice
The preference among male GPs for working in a group practice either as a principal or non-principal has increased steadily over the years, such that both male and female GPs have an overwhelming preference for working in a group practice
Summary
An increasing number of newly trained Dutch GPs prefer to work in a group practice and as a non-principal rather than in a single-handed practice. The single-handed practice was the common European GP setting Through the years, this has changed in favour of group practices [1]. Even though men and women may differ in their preferred form of medical practice, there are trends in common, namely, increasingly more recently qualified GPs prefer: (a) a group practice to a singlehanded practice, (b) part-time over full-time employment [10,11,12,13] and (c) more preference for non-principal position
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