Early-career general practitioners' career intentions in Estonia: A qualitative study

• Published in: The European journal of general practice Vol. 30; no. 1; p. 2368557
• Main Authors: Velgan, Marta, Uibu, Anett, Õunap, Elinor, Kangasniemi, Mari Katariina, Michels, Nele R, Kalda, Ruth
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 01.12.2024; Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: Adult; Attitude of Health Personnel; Career Choice; Estonia; Female; General Practice; General Practitioners - psychology; Humans; Interviews as Topic; Male; Primary Health Care; Qualitative Research; recruitment and retention; Work-Life Balance; Estonia; qualitative research; Career choice; recruitment and retention; general practice
• ISSN: 1381-4788; 1751-1402; 1751-1402
• DOI: 10.1080/13814788.2024.2368557

The shortage of general practitioners (GPs) is a worsening problem in many countries and poses a threat to the services provided by primary care and by extension for the entire healthcare system. Issues with GP workforce recruitment and retention can be reasons for this shortage. To describe GP trainees and newly qualified GPs experiences and perceptions on how their training and early experiences of work influence their career intentions in primary care in Estonia. A qualitative study with GP trainees (  = 12) and newly qualified GPs (  = 13) using semi-structured group interviews (  = 6) was conducted. Interviews were conducted from October until November 2020. Data were analysed using thematic analysis with NVivo Software. Although early-career GPs in Estonia envision their future roles as GP practice owners with patient list, this is often postponed due to various reasons. Early-career GPs expressed a sense of unpreparedness to fill all the roles of GPs' and found the process of establishing a GP practice and taking on a patient lists very complicated. They value work-life balance and prefer workplaces, which offer flexible working conditions. Potential strategies were identified to enhance the willingness of early-career GPs to continue their career as GP practice owners with patient list: improving the GP training program by placing more emphasis on managing skills and making the process of establishing GP practice and taking on a patient list less bureaucratic and more accessible.