What motivates general practitioners of the future: qualitative study of Irish trainees
Abstract Background There is a worldwide shortage of general practitioners (GPs). The aim of this study is to explore the perspectives of GP trainees and to understand their motivators and career priorities to inform future GP workforce planning. Methods A qualitative study, consisting of one-to-one...
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BMC
2025-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Primary Care |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-025-02883-1 |
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| author | Aisling Egan Peter Hayes Andrew O’Regan |
| author_facet | Aisling Egan Peter Hayes Andrew O’Regan |
| author_sort | Aisling Egan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background There is a worldwide shortage of general practitioners (GPs). The aim of this study is to explore the perspectives of GP trainees and to understand their motivators and career priorities to inform future GP workforce planning. Methods A qualitative study, consisting of one-to-one, semi-structured interviews was conducted with GP trainee participants and data were analysed thematically. Every GP trainee currently enrolled in vocational training nationally was invited to participate. ‘Social Cognitive Career Theory’ and ‘Sociocultural Theory’ were used as theoretical frameworks to inform the interview guide and its analysis. Results Seventeen GP trainees were interviewed. One meta-theme was identified from interviews: ‘Sustainable work as part of a fulfilling life’. This meta-theme of sustainability threads through each of the five related subthemes: Family, stability and support, burnout aversion, role-modelling, and well supported portfolio careers in practice. Conclusion Understanding priorities and motivators of GP trainees will inform future healthcare planning, in particular, the type of role to which trainees aspire and the type of health service they in which they will work. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9525c5da73a1498ab2132393d00f1472 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2731-4553 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Primary Care |
| spelling | doaj-art-9525c5da73a1498ab2132393d00f14722025-08-20T01:53:14ZengBMCBMC Primary Care2731-45532025-05-012611910.1186/s12875-025-02883-1What motivates general practitioners of the future: qualitative study of Irish traineesAisling Egan0Peter Hayes1Andrew O’Regan2School of Medicine, University of LimerickSchool of Medicine, University of LimerickSchool of Medicine, University of LimerickAbstract Background There is a worldwide shortage of general practitioners (GPs). The aim of this study is to explore the perspectives of GP trainees and to understand their motivators and career priorities to inform future GP workforce planning. Methods A qualitative study, consisting of one-to-one, semi-structured interviews was conducted with GP trainee participants and data were analysed thematically. Every GP trainee currently enrolled in vocational training nationally was invited to participate. ‘Social Cognitive Career Theory’ and ‘Sociocultural Theory’ were used as theoretical frameworks to inform the interview guide and its analysis. Results Seventeen GP trainees were interviewed. One meta-theme was identified from interviews: ‘Sustainable work as part of a fulfilling life’. This meta-theme of sustainability threads through each of the five related subthemes: Family, stability and support, burnout aversion, role-modelling, and well supported portfolio careers in practice. Conclusion Understanding priorities and motivators of GP trainees will inform future healthcare planning, in particular, the type of role to which trainees aspire and the type of health service they in which they will work.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-025-02883-1General practice traineesCareer choiceRecruitment and retentionPrimary care workforceHealth professions educationPrimary health care. |
| spellingShingle | Aisling Egan Peter Hayes Andrew O’Regan What motivates general practitioners of the future: qualitative study of Irish trainees BMC Primary Care General practice trainees Career choice Recruitment and retention Primary care workforce Health professions education Primary health care. |
| title | What motivates general practitioners of the future: qualitative study of Irish trainees |
| title_full | What motivates general practitioners of the future: qualitative study of Irish trainees |
| title_fullStr | What motivates general practitioners of the future: qualitative study of Irish trainees |
| title_full_unstemmed | What motivates general practitioners of the future: qualitative study of Irish trainees |
| title_short | What motivates general practitioners of the future: qualitative study of Irish trainees |
| title_sort | what motivates general practitioners of the future qualitative study of irish trainees |
| topic | General practice trainees Career choice Recruitment and retention Primary care workforce Health professions education Primary health care. |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-025-02883-1 |
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