General practitioners' perceptions of sharing workload in group practices: qualitative study.
OBJECTIVE
To explore general practitioners' beliefs and experiences of distribution of workload and teamwork between doctors in general practice.


METHODS
Qualitative semistructured interview study.


METHODS
South London.


METHODS
18 general practitioners from 11 practices.


METHODS
Perceptions and experiences of distribution of workload and teamwork between doctors.


RESULTS
Equitable distribution of workload was a common concern among general practitioners in group practices. Several ways of addressing the problem were identified, including relying on trust, creating systems of working based on explicit rules such as points' systems, and improving communication. Improvement of communication was hampered by the taboo nature of the problem.


CONCLUSIONS
Resentment about perceived inequalities in workload places a further burden on general practices. The issue of working together warrants further support.
Branson
Ruben
R
Department of General Practice, King's College London, London SE11 6SP.
Armstrong
David
D
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008131:London; D010465:Perception; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000523:psychology*; D016526:Workload