GPs in principle but not in practice: a study of vocationally trained doctors not currently working as principals.
OBJECTIVE
To identify doctors who are vocationally trained but not currently practising as principals in general practice; their reasons for not practising as principals; and whether the prospect of a re-entry course would appear to this group.


METHODS
Postal questionnaire survey based on semistructured interviews.


METHODS
Doctors who had been vocationally trained but were not currently practising as principals: 351 possible subjects identified by a process of "networking."


METHODS
Trent Regional Health Authority.


RESULTS
166 of the doctors who replied fitted the criteria (100 women; 66 men). The out of hours commitment was ranked as the most important factor for not practising as a principal--95 women and 50 men rated it important--followed by difficulty in combining work with family commitments--84 women, 31 men. 82 respondents (49%) said they would be interested in a re-entry course if one were available.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a pool of vocationally trained doctors in Trent region who are not practising as principals in general practice. More flexible working patterns and the availability of a re-entry course could make the post of principal in general practice a more attractive proposition to these doctors.
Baker
M
M
Office of the Postgraduate Dean, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre.
Williams
J
J
Petchey
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires