title: Who are we and where are we going? Primary care academics in non-clinical posts.
abstract: The development of a high-quality primary healthcare system requires multidisciplinary perspectives and collaborations between clinicians and non-clinicians. Academic primary care departments across the United Kingdom and Ireland employ academics from a range of disciplines. However, questions remain about the parity of opportunity for career progression with a consistent trend to focus more on clinicians than non-clinicians. In this paper, we analyse the employment and careers of non-clinical primary care academics working in Ireland and Scotland. We draw on survey data from the island of Ireland and conference workshop discussions among Irish- and Scottish-based academics. We highlight problems with career progression and identify some strategic actions. We argue for a renewed attempt to ensure that all academics who are contributing to the discipline of primary care are appropriately acknowledged and supported to continue their endeavours to develop high-quality primary care health systems.
authors: 1Lecturer in Primary Care, Discipline of General Practice, NUI Galway, Ireland.
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Macfarlane
authors: 3Professor of Primary Care Research and Development, General Practice and Primary Care, University of Glasgow, Scotland.
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: O'Donnell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002322:Career Mobility; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003625:Data Collection; D005180:Faculty, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D012108:Research Personnel / Q000523:psychology* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012606:Scotland; D000078329:Workforce