General practitioners' perceptions of different practice models: a qualitative study.
Ownership of general practices is changing, but perceptions of GPs about ownership and the factors influencing their decisions about this are not well understood. The aim of this study was to explore GPs' perceptions and attitudes towards different practice models. GPs (n=138) in the Southern Adelaide-Fleurieu-Kangaroo Island Medicare Local region participated in semi-structured interviews, which were analysed thematically. Thirty-nine per cent of participants were practice owners, and 64% were working in a practice with six or more GPs. Factors driving practice ownership were flexibility, autonomy and financial reward. Factors discouraging ownership were increased responsibility, time commitment and the potential for financial burden. Some interest in future practice ownership was evident, but concerns were also raised about the knowledge and skills required. Strategies are needed both to support GPs who do wish to be practice owners and to facilitate a range of practice models to ensure continued delivery of accessible, quality primary medical care to patients.
School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 6th Floor, The Alfred Centre, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia.
Catherine
C
Joyce
School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 6th Floor, The Alfred Centre, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia.
Hayley
H
McDonald
Southern Adelaide-Fleurieu-Kangaroo Island Medicare Local, Mitsubishi Administration Building, Level 1, 1284 South Road, Clovelly Park, SA 5039, Australia.
Laureen
L
Lawlor-Smith
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010067:Ownership; D011216:Practice Management, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013021:South Australia