ArticleBMJ open2016
Understanding quit decisions in primary care: a qualitative study of older GPs.
Article in BMJ open, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 31 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
31 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 46 citations in OpenAlex.
- Understanding why health professionals are leaving the UK national health service (NHS) - A systematic review and narrative synthesis.Journal of health services research & policy · 2026Pooled it
- Understanding why primary care doctors leave direct patient care: a systematic review of qualitative research.BMJ open · 2020Pooled it
- A systematic review of physician retirement planning.Human resources for health · 2016Pooled it
- Safety in primary care (SAP-C): a randomised, controlled feasibility study in two different healthcare systems.BMC family practice · 2019Trial
- GP workforce sustainability to maximise effective and equitable patient care: a realist review.The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2026Review
- Influences on trust in the use of AI-based triage-an interview study with primary healthcare professionals and patients in Sweden.Frontiers in digital health · 2025Article
- Psychosocial work environment in Swedish primary healthcare: a cross-sectional survey of physicians' job satisfaction, turnover intention, social support, leadership climate and change fatigue.Human resources for health · 2024Article
- [One after the other: factors influencing the abandonment of Family and Community Medicine practice in young family physicians. A qualitative study].Revista espanola de salud publica · 2024Article
- Psychiatric Characteristics, Symptoms of Insomnia and Depression, Emotion Regulation, and Social Activity among Swiss Medical Students.Journal of clinical medicine · 2024Article
- Clinical pharmacists in primary care general practices: evaluation of current workforce and their distribution.Journal of pharmaceutical policy and practice · 2022Article
- Investigating the links between diagnostic uncertainty, emotional exhaustion, and turnover intention in General Practitioners working in the United Kingdom.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2022Article
- Understanding the impact of professional motivation on the workforce crisis in medicine: a rapid review.BJGP open · 2021Article
- Estimation of the Time Needed to Deliver the 2020 USPSTF Preventive Care Recommendations in Primary Care.American journal of public health · 2021Article
- Trends in GP incomes in England, 2008-2017: a retrospective analysis of repeated postal surveys.The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2020Article
- Malpractice litigation, workload, and general practitioner retirement.Primary health care research & development · 2019Article
- Article
- Pharmacist joint-working with general practices: evaluating the Sheffield Primary Care Pharmacy Programme. A mixed-methods study.BJGP open · 2018Article
- What is the root cause of the GP workforce crisis?The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2018Article
- The characteristics and views of early retirees compared with doctors still in work: views of the UK -medical graduates of 1983 surveyed in 2016.Future healthcare journal · 2018Article
- Can the work ability model provide a useful explanatory framework to understand sustainable employability amongst general practitioners: a qualitative study.Human resources for health · 2018Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
objectiveTo investigate the reasons behind intentions to quit direct patient care among experienced general practitioners (GPs) aged 50-60 years. DESIGN AND
settingQualitative study based on semistructured interviews with GPs in the South West region of England. Transcribed interviews were analysed thematically.
participants23 GPs aged 50-60 years: 3 who had retired from direct patient care before age 60, and 20 who intended to quit direct patient care within the next 5 years.
resultsThe analysis identified four key themes: early retirement is a viable option for many GPs; GPs have employment options other than undertaking direct patient care; GPs report feeling they are doing an (almost) undoable job; and GPs may have other aspirations that pull them away from practice. Findings from this study confirmed those from earlier research, with high workload, ageing and health, family and domestic life, and organisational change all influencing GPs' decisions about when to retire/quit direct patient care. However, in addition, GPs expressed feelings of insecurity and uncertainty regarding the future of general practice, low morale, and issues regarding accountability (appraisal and revalidation) and governance. Suggestions about how to help retain GPs within the active clinical workforce were offered, covering individual, practice and organisational levels.
conclusionsThis research highlights aspects of the current professional climate for GPs that are having an impact on retirement decisions. Any future changes to policy or practice to help retain experienced GPs will benefit from this informed understanding of GPs' views. Key factors to take into account include: making the GP workload more manageable; managing change sympathetically; paying attention to GPs' own health; improving confidence in the future of general practice; and improving GP morale.
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What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.