Characteristics and career intentions of Scottish rural and urban GP registrars: cause for concern?
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the differences between the characteristics and career intentions of GP registrars in urban and rural areas, and to make recommendations to reduce a potential work force crisis in rural practice.


METHODS
Postal survey.


METHODS
All general practices in Scotland.


METHODS
In February 1996, 40/196 (20%) of urban and 45/150 (30%) of rural GP registrar places available in Scotland, were vacant (chi 2 = 4.22, df = 1, p = 0.02). Postal questionnaires were sent to all 261 GP registrars in post.


RESULTS
Of 235 respondents (90%), the majority wished to remain in general practice (63% of urban and 53% of rural registrars), but only 22% of urban and 18% of rural registrars intended to apply for principal posts immediately after training. Fewer urban (8%) than rural registrars (21%) stated an intention to go abroad to work after training. Rural registrars tended to want to work in rural areas, and vice versa. Part-time and job-sharing were attractive employment options for both groups, and more flexible career structures were favoured by over 80%.


CONCLUSIONS
Though much more attention has been paid to recruitment in inner cities, the findings from this study suggest that in Scotland difficulties in finding principals may occur first in rural areas. As general practitioners have an extended role in rural areas, including that of emergency care, shortages could have a serious impact on patient care.
Ross
S
S
Department of General Practice, Woodside Health Centre, Barr Street, Glasgow, G20 7LR.
Gillies
J C
JC
D000328:Adult; D002321:Career Choice; D002322:Career Mobility; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000523:psychology / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D011365:Professional Practice Location; D019035:Rural Health Services; D012606:Scotland; D019037:Urban Health Services; D000078329:Workforce