Why are doctors opting out of general practice?

Why are doctors opting out of general practice?
Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2020 Mar 31;140(5):
Authors: Birkeli CN, Rosta J, Aasland OG, Rø KI
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There has been a sustained focus on the lack of recruitment to general practice in Norwegian politics, media and research. We have little knowledge of the reasons that have been prominent for doctors who have actively opted out of general practice. We therefore wished to investigate what types of doctors choose not to work in general practice and why.
MATERIAL AND METHOD: The data are based on a questionnaire that was sent to the 2 195 members of the Medical Panel in 2016/17. The response rate was 73.1 %. We used graphics and descriptive analyses to study inter-group differences between those who had considered general practice but made another choice, and those who had quit general practice.
RESULTS: Of the 1 153 doctors who were not general practitioners, 44.1 % had not considered this as an option. 39.9 % had considered it, but chosen differently, and 16.0 % had previously worked as GPs, but quit. The administrative burden and small professional community were the main reasons for doctors to opt out of general practice.
INTERPRETATION: The administrative burden and small professional community were key reasons why doctors opted out of general practice or quit the specialty. A number of other factors also played a role, and the efforts to recru...

Source: Tidsskrift for den Norske Laegeforening - March 30, 2020 Category: General Medicine Authors: Birkeli CN, Rosta J, Aasland OG, Rø KI Tags: Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen Source Type: research