TY - JOUR
T1 - Why do Danish junior doctors choose general practice as their future specialty? Results of a mixed-methods survey
AU - Lillevang, Gunver
AU - Henriksen, Mikael
AU - Brodersen, John
AU - Lewandowska, Karolina
AU - Kjær, Niels Kristian
PY - 2019/7
Y1 - 2019/7
N2 - Background: A well-staffed and an efficient primary healthcare sector is beneficial for a healthcare system but some countries experience problems in recruitment to general practice. Objectives: This study explored factors influencing Danish junior doctors’ choice of general practice as their specialty. Methods: This study is based on an online questionnaire collecting quantitative and qualitative data. Two focus-group interviews were conducted to inform the construction of the questionnaire to ensure high content validity. All Danish junior doctors participating in general practice specialist training in 2015 were invited to participate in the survey, from which both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. The data was analysed using systematic text condensation and descriptive statistics. Results: Of 1099 invited, 670 (61%) junior doctors completed the questionnaire. Qualitative data: junior doctors found educational environments and a feasible work–life balance were important. They valued patient-centred healthcare, doctor–patient relationships based on continuity, and the possibility of organizing their work in smaller, manageable units. Quantitative data: 90.8% stated that the set-up of Danish specialist-training programme positively influenced their choice of general practice as their specialty. Junior doctors (80.4%) found that their university curriculum had too little emphasis on general practice, 64.5% agreed that early basic postgraduate training in general practice had a high impact on their choice of general practice as their specialty. Conclusion: Several factors that might positively affect the choice of general practice were identified. These factors may hold the potential to guide recruitment strategies for general practice.
AB - Background: A well-staffed and an efficient primary healthcare sector is beneficial for a healthcare system but some countries experience problems in recruitment to general practice. Objectives: This study explored factors influencing Danish junior doctors’ choice of general practice as their specialty. Methods: This study is based on an online questionnaire collecting quantitative and qualitative data. Two focus-group interviews were conducted to inform the construction of the questionnaire to ensure high content validity. All Danish junior doctors participating in general practice specialist training in 2015 were invited to participate in the survey, from which both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. The data was analysed using systematic text condensation and descriptive statistics. Results: Of 1099 invited, 670 (61%) junior doctors completed the questionnaire. Qualitative data: junior doctors found educational environments and a feasible work–life balance were important. They valued patient-centred healthcare, doctor–patient relationships based on continuity, and the possibility of organizing their work in smaller, manageable units. Quantitative data: 90.8% stated that the set-up of Danish specialist-training programme positively influenced their choice of general practice as their specialty. Junior doctors (80.4%) found that their university curriculum had too little emphasis on general practice, 64.5% agreed that early basic postgraduate training in general practice had a high impact on their choice of general practice as their specialty. Conclusion: Several factors that might positively affect the choice of general practice were identified. These factors may hold the potential to guide recruitment strategies for general practice.
KW - general practice
KW - Personnel selection
KW - specialty choice
KW - vocational guidance recruitment
KW - Attitude of Health Personnel
KW - Humans
KW - Focus Groups
KW - Education, Medical, Graduate/methods
KW - Male
KW - Specialization/statistics & numerical data
KW - General Practitioners/psychology
KW - Career Choice
KW - Denmark
KW - Adult
KW - Curriculum
KW - Female
KW - General Practice/organization & administration
KW - Surveys and Questionnaires
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85071058537&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/13814788.2019.1639668
DO - 10.1080/13814788.2019.1639668
M3 - Article
C2 - 31339386
AN - SCOPUS:85071058537
SN - 1381-4788
VL - 25
SP - 149
EP - 156
JO - European Journal of General Practice
JF - European Journal of General Practice
IS - 3
ER -