title: When and why do doctors decide to become general practitioners? Implications for recruitment into UK general practice specialty training.
abstract: All applicants to round 1 of national recruitment into the general practice specialty recruitment process were surveyed as to the reasons for, and the timing of their career choices. Most applicants reported decision making after completing undergraduate training citing variety, continuity of care and work-life balance as their main drivers for a career in general practice. Applicants were statistically more likely to have undertaken a Foundation placement in general practice than their peers on a Foundation programme. Reasons for choice of deanery were largely related to location and social ties, rather than to the educational 'reputation' of its programmes.
authors.affiliation: GP National Recruitment Office, Severn Deanery, Deanery House, Hambrook, Bristol BS16 1GW, UK.
authors.forename: Bill
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Irish
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lake
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D058006:General Practice / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D010560:Personnel Selection / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires