GPs in principle but not in practice: a study of vocationally trained doctors not currently working as principals.

OBJECTIVES

To identify doctors who are vocationally trained but not currently practising as principals in general practice; their reasons for not practising as principals; and whether the prospect of a re-entry course would appear to this group.

DESIGN

Postal questionnaire survey based on semistructured interviews.

SUBJECTS

Doctors who had been vocationally trained but were not currently practising as principals: 351 possible subjects identified by a process of "networking."

SETTING

Trent Regional Health Authority.

RESULTS

166 of the doctors who replied fitted the criteria (100 women; 66 men). The out of hours commitment was ranked as the most important factor for not practising as a principal--95 women and 50 men rated it important--followed by difficulty in combining work with family commitments--84 women, 31 men. 82 respondents (49%) said they would be interested in a re-entry course if one were available.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a pool of vocationally trained doctors in Trent region who are not practising as principals in general practice. More flexible working patterns and the availability of a re-entry course could make the post of principal in general practice a more attractive proposition to these doctors.