Abstract
BackgroundThere are more studies of current job satisfaction among GPs than of their views about their future career prospects, although both are relevant to commitment to careers in general practice.AimTo report on the views of GPs compared with clinicians in other specialties about their future career prospects.Design and settingQuestionnaire surveys were sent to UK medical doctors who graduated in selected years between 1974 and 2008.MethodQuestionnaires were sent to the doctors at different times after graduation, ranging from 3 to 24 years.ResultsBased on the latest survey of each graduation year of the 20 940 responders, 66.2% of GPs and 74.2% of hospital doctors were positive about their prospects and 9.7% and 8.3%, respectively, were negative. However, with increasing time since graduation and increasing levels of seniority, GPs became less positive about their prospects; by contrast, over time, surgeons became more positive. Three to 5 years after graduation, 86.3% of those training in general practice were positive about their prospects compared with 52.9% of surgical trainees: in surveys conducted 12–24 years after graduation, 60.2% of GPs and 76.6% of surgeons were positive about their prospects.ConclusionGPs held broadly positive views of their career prospects, as did other doctors. However, there was an increase in negativity with increasing time since graduation that was not seen in hospital doctors. Research into the causes of this negativity and policy measures to ameliorate it would contribute to the continued commitment of GPs and may help to reduce attrition.
Highlights
GP recruitment in the UK is in crisis.[1]Greater patient demand, an ageing population profile, an increasing population coupled with the switching of the management of chronic conditions from secondary to primary care, and an ageingGP workforce, have led to an increased need for more doctors to train in general practice.[2]
Based on the latest survey of each graduation year of the 20 940 responders, 66.2% of GPs and 74.2% of hospital doctors were positive about their prospects and 9.7% and 8.3%, respectively, were negative
Three to years after graduation, 86.3% of those training in general practice were positive about their prospects compared with 52.9% of surgical trainees: in surveys conducted 12–24 years after graduation, 60.2% of GPs and 76.6% of surgeons were positive about their prospects
Summary
GP recruitment in the UK is in crisis.[1]Greater patient demand, an ageing population profile, an increasing population coupled with the switching of the management of chronic conditions from secondary to primary care, and an ageingGP workforce, have led to an increased need for more doctors to train in general practice.[2]. Previous research among GPs has found that low job satisfaction is associated with higher levels of intentions to leave medicine.[5] A study of American physicians found that those who were very dissatisfied with their jobs were twice as likely to retire early as those who were satisfied, and were over three times more likely to reduce their hours to
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