What predicts an interest in General Practice? Preliminary insights from a longitudinal tracking project

Abstract

Introduction/background: The shortage of General Practitioners in New Zealand is well-documented, and has been the topic of much recent national debate. However, we have little recent knowledge about what factors might influence or predict an interest in a GP career. Aim/objectives: To identify influential or predictive factors associated with an interest in GP career for doctors three years post-graduation, using data from the New Zealand arm of the Medical Student Outcome Database longitudinal tracking study. Discussion: Key results from analysis of linked cohort data will be presented and discussed. Specifically, how the patterns of GP career interest and background factors, personal characteristics, medical school experiences and experiences working as a doctor predict a medical graduate’s interest in and intentions to pursue a career in the specialty of General Practice. Knowing more about the factors that predict an interest in a GP career may help guide the various stakeholders in addressing GP shortages. Analysis of data at PGY3 was chosen because graduates are likely to be confirming specialty choices; however, response rates are lower than at earlier time points. Issues/questions for exploration or ideas for discussion: Using longitudinal survey data has challenges, what are some of the lessons others have learned from using data of this kind? What factors should be explored that influence career decisions? What models are known that explain the career decision-making process? What is known about when medical career decisions are made? How should medical schools respond knowing what influences an intent to practice as a GP?