Attitudes of medical students to general practice: a multinational cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Background A shortage of general practitioners (GPs) is common to many European countries. To counteract this, it is essential to understand the factors that encourage or discourage medical students from choosing to become a GP Objective To evaluate medical students’ attitudes towards general practice and to identify factors that discourage them from considering a career as a GP. Methods In this multinational cross-sectional online survey, 29 284 students from nine German, four Austrian and two Slovenian universities were invited to answer a questionnaire consisting of 146 closed and 13 open-ended items. Results Of the 4486 students that responded (response rate: 15.3%), 3.6% wanted to become a GP, 48.1% were undecided and 34.6% did not want to be a GP. Significant predictors for interest in becoming a GP were higher age [odds ratio (OR) = 1.06; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.02–1.10], positive evaluation of the content of a GP’s work (OR = 4.44; 95% CI = 3.26–6.06), organizational aspects (OR = 1.42; 95% CI = 1.13–1.78), practical experience of general practice (OR = 1.66; 95% CI = 1.08–2.56) and the country of the survey [Slovenian versus German students (Reference): OR = 2.19; 95% CI = 1.10–4.38; Austrian versus German students (Reference): OR = 0.50; 95% CI = 0.32–0.79]. Conclusion Strategies to convince undecided students to opt for a career as a GP should include a positive representation of a GP’s work and early and repeated experience of working in a general practice during medical school.

Facilitators and barriers affecting general practitioners’ choice to work in primary care units in Austria

“…As found in other studies, the low status of GPs demotivates quali ed GPs working in primary care (2,14,49). Espinosa-Gonzalez and Normand (37) con rm that the expansion of acquired competences during the specialty training for family medicine and the increase of training quality attracts medical students, contributes to public recognition as a scienti c discipline, and improves professional status within this population and in general.…”

“…In line with international and national study results, entrepreneurship and management competencies are essential, but rare among GPs (3,49). Adequate basic education and vocational training seems to play a crucial role in getting GPs ready for entering primary care.…”

“…Until now, most studies on facilitators and barriers in Austria have focused on trainees or already established GPs in relation to working in the public primary care system and founding PCUs, but lack the perspective of non-contracted GPs (16,20,49). Considering the increasing demand for GPs within the public primary care system, it is necessary to plan and establish successful policy measures and attract this target group to work in PCUs.…”

Challenges facing Chinese primary care in the context of COVID-19

“… 8 High-quality practical experience not only enhance the professional skills of medical students, but also increase their interest in becoming GPs. 17 The second is to strengthen the professional confidence of GPs and encourage more medical students to engage in general practice. According to a survey, 18 Chinese GPs generally hold a negative attitude towards their professional status, which was mainly reflected in income level, occupational risk, and social respect, but they were optimistic about the development expectations in the next 3 years.…”

“…The government should take measures to improve the professional attraction of GPs, such as raising their salaries and social status. 4 With the efforts of the German government, 17 the salary gap between specialists and GPs is narrowing, and the attractiveness of GPs is also increasing. As mentioned in this study, 1 GPs expected to be rewarded, not necessarily financially, but through respect and consideration.…”