Abstract:BackgroundThe general practice (GP) workforce in England is in crisis, reflected in increasing rates of early retirement and intentions to reduce hours of working. This study aimed to investigate underlying factors and how these might be mitigated.MethodsGPs in central England were invited to participate in an on-line survey exploring career plans and views and experiences of work-related pressures. Quantitative data were analysed using logistic regression analysis and principal components analysis. Qualitativ… Show more
“…Similar themes to those in the present study arose, including increased patient expectations, recruitment and retention difficulties, burgeoning administration and bureaucracy, transfer of work from secondary care, and the introduction of 7-day working. 21 The latter concern was raised by some GPs in the present study, perhaps because the '7-day NHS' formed part of the government's election campaign shortly before the interviews were conducted. 22 A recent mixed methods study exploring why so many GPs in England leave practice before the age of 50 also found that increased workloaddue in part to increased bureaucracy, the shift of work from secondary care to primary care, a change in patient demands, and time pressures -is a major contributor.…”
Section: Comparison With Existing Literaturementioning
BackgroundGPs report the lowest levels of morale among doctors, job satisfaction is low, and the GP workforce is diminishing. Workload is frequently cited as negatively impacting on commitment to a career in general practice, and many GPs report that their workload is unmanageable.AimTo gather an in-depth understanding of GPs’ perceptions and attitudes towards workload.Design and settingAll GPs working within NHS England were eligible. Advertisements were circulated via regional GP e-mail lists and national social media networks in June 2015. Of those GPs who responded, a maximum-variation sample was selected until data saturation was reached.MethodSemi-structured, qualitative interviews were conducted. Data were analysed thematically.ResultsIn total, 171 GPs responded, and 34 were included in this study. GPs described an increase in workload over recent years, with current working days being long and intense, raising concerns over the wellbeing of GPs and patients. Full-time partnership was generally not considered to be possible, and many participants felt workload was unsustainable, particularly given the diminishing workforce. Four major themes emerged to explain increased workload: increased patient needs and expectations; a changing relationship between primary and secondary care; bureaucracy and resources; and the balance of workload within a practice. Continuity of care was perceived as being eroded by changes in contracts and working patterns to deal with workload.ConclusionThis study highlights the urgent need to address perceived lack of investment and clinical capacity in general practice, and suggests that managing patient expectations around what primary care can deliver, and reducing bureaucracy, have become key issues, at least until capacity issues are resolved.
“…Similar themes to those in the present study arose, including increased patient expectations, recruitment and retention difficulties, burgeoning administration and bureaucracy, transfer of work from secondary care, and the introduction of 7-day working. 21 The latter concern was raised by some GPs in the present study, perhaps because the '7-day NHS' formed part of the government's election campaign shortly before the interviews were conducted. 22 A recent mixed methods study exploring why so many GPs in England leave practice before the age of 50 also found that increased workloaddue in part to increased bureaucracy, the shift of work from secondary care to primary care, a change in patient demands, and time pressures -is a major contributor.…”
Section: Comparison With Existing Literaturementioning
BackgroundGPs report the lowest levels of morale among doctors, job satisfaction is low, and the GP workforce is diminishing. Workload is frequently cited as negatively impacting on commitment to a career in general practice, and many GPs report that their workload is unmanageable.AimTo gather an in-depth understanding of GPs’ perceptions and attitudes towards workload.Design and settingAll GPs working within NHS England were eligible. Advertisements were circulated via regional GP e-mail lists and national social media networks in June 2015. Of those GPs who responded, a maximum-variation sample was selected until data saturation was reached.MethodSemi-structured, qualitative interviews were conducted. Data were analysed thematically.ResultsIn total, 171 GPs responded, and 34 were included in this study. GPs described an increase in workload over recent years, with current working days being long and intense, raising concerns over the wellbeing of GPs and patients. Full-time partnership was generally not considered to be possible, and many participants felt workload was unsustainable, particularly given the diminishing workforce. Four major themes emerged to explain increased workload: increased patient needs and expectations; a changing relationship between primary and secondary care; bureaucracy and resources; and the balance of workload within a practice. Continuity of care was perceived as being eroded by changes in contracts and working patterns to deal with workload.ConclusionThis study highlights the urgent need to address perceived lack of investment and clinical capacity in general practice, and suggests that managing patient expectations around what primary care can deliver, and reducing bureaucracy, have become key issues, at least until capacity issues are resolved.
“…13 There is evidence to show that increased work stress and work intensity leads GPs under 'high strain' to report higher levels of anxiety, depression, and dissatisfaction than GPs under 'low strain', and that the health impacts of stress continued outside of work, which in turn could increase job dissatisfaction and intention to quit the profession. 43,44 Job satisfaction is also influenced by expectations about future events. 45 If doctors perceive that their workload will not reduce, and that demands will always increase, it is likely that they will feel more overwhelmed and less satisfied with their job, and thus more likely to quit.…”
BackgroundThe numbers of GPs and training places in general practice are declining, and retaining GPs in their practices is an increasing problem.
AimTo identify evidence on different approaches to retention and recruitment of GPs, such as intrinsic versus extrinsic motivational determinants.
Design and setting
MethodA qualitative approach to reviewing the literature on recruitment and retention of GPs was used. The studies included were English-language studies from Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development countries. The titles and abstracts of 138 articles were reviewed and analysed by the research team.
ResultsSome of the most important determinants to increase recruitment in primary care were early exposure to primary care practice, the fit between skills and attributes, and a significant experience in a primary care setting. Factors that seemed to influence retention were subspecialisation and portfolio careers, and job satisfaction. The most important determinants of recruitment and retention were intrinsic and idiosyncratic factors, such as recognition, rather than extrinsic factors, such as income.
ConclusionAlthough the published evidence relating to GP recruitment and retention is limited, and most focused on attracting GPs to rural areas, the authors found that there are clear overlaps between strategies to increase recruitment and retention. Indeed, the most influential factors are idiosyncratic and intrinsic to the individuals.
“…Given the administrative burden associated with primary care in the UK, [16] there is potential for some of these difficulties to have particular significance in the context of GP training. As with dyslexic adults in other occupational settings, [5] doctors have developed a sophisticated array of coping strategies to mitigate their difficulties.…”
Dyslexia is a common developmental learning difficulty, which persists throughout life. It is highly likely that those working in primary care will know, or even work with someone who has dyslexia. Dyslexia can impact on performance in postgraduate training and exams. The stereotypical characteristics of dyslexia, such as literacy difficulties, are often not obvious in adult learners. Instead, recognition requires a holistic approach to evaluating personal strengths and difficulties, in the context of a supportive relationship. Strategies to support dyslexic learners should consider recommendations made in formal diagnostic reports, and aim to address self-awareness and coping skills.
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