title: Investigating the sustainability of careers in academic primary care in the United Kingdom.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The UK Society for Academic Primary Care (SAPC) is re-examining the sustainability of careers in academic primary care (APC). The motivation for this is a number of significant changes within the context of APC since the last such investigation (SAPC, 2003). It is now timely to review the current situation.
  
  
  METHODS
  As a first phase, semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 15 SAPC members from different disciplines and career stages.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Findings show that lack of clarity about APC career pathways persist, but important factors linked with sustainability were identified at individual and organisational levels. These include being proactive, developing resilience, mentorship and a positive organisational culture with a strong shared vision about why APC is important. FURTHER RESEARCH: Sustainability is undermined by funding difficulties, lack of integration of members of different APC disciplines, leading to disparities in career progression and lack of clarity about what APC is. Phase 2 will comprise a UK-wide survey.
authors: 1Principal Research Fellow,Division of Mental Health and Wellbeing,Warwick Medical School,University of Warwick,Coventry,UK.
authors: Ann
authors: A
authors: Adams
authors: 2Formerly Professor,Primary Care Clinical Sciences,University of Birmingham,West Midlands,UK.
authors: Helen
authors: H
authors: Lester
authors: 3GP and NIHR Clinician Scientist in Primary Care,Health Services Research,University of Liverpool,Merseyside,UK.
authors: Joanne
authors: J
authors: Reeve
authors: 4Clinical Senior Lecturer in General Practice,Centre for Primary and Community Care,University of Sunderland,Sunderland,UK.
authors: Jane
authors: J
authors: Roberts
authors: 5Department of Health Sciences, Professor of Primary Care Research,University of Leicester,Leicester,UK.
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Wilson
mesh_terms: D002322:Career Mobility; D005180:Faculty, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D058007:Physicians, Primary Care / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends; D006113:United Kingdom; D000078329:Workforce