Advice to future family physicians: Findings from qualitative interviews with family medicine residents and early-career family physicians

Abstract

Background Practice choices made by primary care providers shape services available to Canadians. Advice offered by residents and early-career family physicians may reveal challenges they have experienced and inform the choices of new residents. In this paper, we examine advice family medicine residents and early-career family physicians would give to new family medicine residents. Methods Sixty early-career family physicians and thirty residents were interviewed as part of a mixed-methods study of practice patterns of family medicine providers in Canada. During qualitative interviews, participants were asked, "what advice would you give [a new family medicine resident] about planning their career as a family physician?” We inductively analyzed responses to this question. Results Advice included the importance of having diverse experiences, unexpected aspects of family medicine, and taking care of yourself while practicing family medicine. Subthemes included the sustainability of family medicine, practical limitations of different practice models, and how payment models influence work-life balance. Conclusion Most advice mirrored current changes and challenges, suggesting that new residents must be prepared for the realities of practicing family medicine. Multi-modal systemic interventions may be needed to support family physicians throughout the changing reality of family medicine and ensure family medicine is an appealing specialty.