A survey of GP trainees2016

Introduction to the survey› As part of our recent report, Understanding pressures in general

practice, we conducted a survey of GP trainees. › We asked trainees about their intended future working patterns

and their views on the pressures facing general practice.› The results of multiple-choice questions from the survey are

presented in these slides.› Free-text answers were subject to thematic analysis, and

informed the qualitative findings of our full report.

Methodology (1)

› We designed a short self-completion questionnaire. › This was piloted with a group of GP trainees.› Intentions for future practice were captured using five multiple-

choice questions. We asked respondents to select options reflecting their intentions for one year, five years and 10 years after qualification, with space for free-text comments.

› There was one free-text question asking respondents about the pressures facing general practice.

› We also included demographic information including age, gender and stage of training.

› A copy of the full questionnaire can be provided on request.

Methodology (2)

› The survey was sent to programme managers of GP Vocational Training Schemes in England, who were asked to distribute it to trainees in their schemes.

› An online survey tool was used to collect responses during December 2015 and January 2016.

› Responses were received from 318 trainees across England at a range of training stages (ST1, 2 and 3).

› As we relied on secondary distribution of the survey to trainees via programme managers, we cannot calculate a precise response rate as we do not know how many trainees received the survey.

Results and key findings

What working patterns do GP trainees intend to have? Question asked: What sort of working pattern do you plan to have as a GP? Please choose one option for each point in time based on your intended career plans.

What working patterns do GP trainees intend to have?

Key findings› A low proportion of respondents opted for full-time clinical work

at all stages. Very few (9.7 per cent) intend to work full time in general practice 10 years after qualification.

› A greater proportion intend to do part-time clinical work, particularly at earlier career stages (45.6 per cent one year after qualification).

› Portfolio working is a popular option, particularly at later career stages (48.9 per cent 10 years after qualification).

NB: Portfolio working is defined as ‘part of the working week spent on clinical work in general practice and part spent on other work’ which may amount to full-time working hours.

Intended working patterns: male vs. female trainees Question asked: What sort of working pattern do you plan to have as a GP? Please choose one option for each point in time based on your intended career plans.

Intended working patterns: male vs. female trainees

Key findings› The majority of respondents do not intend to work full time in

general practice; this is true for both male and female trainees.› Female respondents were more likely to opt for part-time

working and male respondents were more likely to opt for full-time working.

› The differences between the intentions of male and female trainees reduce over respective time periods.

› Many respondents intend to have portfolio careers; male trainees were more likely than female trainees to opt for portfolio working at all career stages.

How many clinical sessions do GP trainees intend to work? Question asked: Approximately how many clinical sessions (half days) do you plan to work per week? Please choose one option for each point in time based on your intended career plans.

› The most commonly selected option was 5-6 sessions (half day clinics) per week.

› The proportion intending to work more sessions than this at one year, five years and 10 years after qualification falls over the respective time periods.

How many clinical sessions do GP trainees intend to work?

Key findings

What other work do GP trainees intend to do? Question asked: If you intend to do work outside NHS general practice, what things do you plan to do? Please tick all that apply.

What other work do GP trainees intend to do?

Key findings› The most popular options for work outside of general practice

were: • medical education (selected by 44 per cent of respondents)• other clinical NHS work such as working in hospitals/urgent

care centres (selected by 43.7 per cent of respondents).

Do GP trainees intend to take on partnerships? Question asked: Please select the statement that most closely reflects your intentions for different stages of your career. Please choose one option for each point in time based on your intended career plans.

Do GP trainees intend to take on partnerships?

Key findings› Many trainees do not intend to take on partnerships, opting

instead for salaried or locum roles.› However 44.7 per cent of respondents intend to be a GP partner

10 years after qualification, showing a significant rise in the popularity of this option over time.

Why don’t trainees want to work full time in general practice? Question asked: If you intend not to undertake full-time clinical work in the future, what are your main reasons? Please select your top three reasons.

Why don’t trainees want to work full time in general practice?

Key findings› The most common reason selected for not wanting to work full

time in general practice was ‘intensity of the working day’ (selected by 76.1 per cent of respondents).

› Other common reasons were: • ‘family commitments’ (64.5 per cent)• ‘long working hours’ (59.4 per cent)• ‘volume of administrative work’ (49.4 per cent)• ‘work-related stress’ (36.8 per cent)• ‘interest in other work’ (35.2 per cent).