Early-career general practitioners' career intentions in Estonia: A qualitative study.
Eur J Gen Pract
; 30(1): 2368557, 2024 Dec.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38958064
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The shortage of general practitioners (GPs) is a worsening problem in many countries and poses a threat to the services provided by primary care and by extension for the entire healthcare system. Issues with GP workforce recruitment and retention can be reasons for this shortage.OBJECTIVES:
To describe GP trainees and newly qualified GPs experiences and perceptions on how their training and early experiences of work influence their career intentions in primary care in Estonia.METHODS:
A qualitative study with GP trainees (n = 12) and newly qualified GPs (n = 13) using semi-structured group interviews (n = 6) was conducted. Interviews were conducted from October until November 2020. Data were analysed using thematic analysis with NVivo Software.RESULTS:
Although early-career GPs in Estonia envision their future roles as GP practice owners with patient list, this is often postponed due to various reasons. Early-career GPs expressed a sense of unpreparedness to fill all the roles of GPs' and found the process of establishing a GP practice and taking on a patient lists very complicated. They value work-life balance and prefer workplaces, which offer flexible working conditions.CONCLUSION:
Potential strategies were identified to enhance the willingness of early-career GPs to continue their career as GP practice owners with patient list improving the GP training program by placing more emphasis on managing skills and making the process of establishing GP practice and taking on a patient list less bureaucratic and more accessible.
This study highlights the career intentions of GP trainees and newly qualified GPs in Estonia.Participants of this study perceive the many different roles of being a GP as very challenging.Understanding early-career GPs ideas about the future work environments can be helpful in shaping future workforce strategies.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Career Choice
/
Attitude of Health Personnel
/
Qualitative Research
/
General Practitioners
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
En
Journal:
Eur J Gen Pract
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Estonia
Country of publication:
Reino Unido