Skip to main content

Table 2 Factors i) influencing intentions to leave clinical practice and ii) that might lead to retention in practice

From: Retaining the general practitioner workforce in England: what matters to GPs? A cross-sectional study

Factors influencing decision to leave general practice

Factors that might retain GPs in practice

(1 = not important to 5 = very important)

(1 = not important to 5 = very important)

Workplace influences

 

mean

sd

 

mean

sd

Volume of workload

4.5

0.92

Reduced intensity of workload

4.5

0.91

Intensity of workload

4.6

0.86

Reduced volume of workload

4.4

0.91

Too much time spent on unimportant tasks

4.4

0.97

Less administration

4.3

1.0

Introduction of 7 day a week working

4.2

1.2

Longer appointment times

4.2

1.1

Reduced job satisfaction

4.2

1.1

No out of hours commitments

3.9

1.5

Lack of time for patient contact

4.1

1.0

More flexible working conditions

3.5

1.4

Poor flexibility of hours

3.0

1.3

Greater clinical autonomy

3.3

1.4

Revalidation

2.6

1.4

Improved skill-mix in the practice

3.0

1.9

   

Shorter practice opening times

2.9

1.4

   

Option to work term time only

1.8

1.3

Individual motivators

Changes to pension taxation

3.3

1.5

Incentive payment

3.7

1.4

Age

3.2

1.4

Protected time for education and training

3.6

1.3

Family commitments

2.6

1.0

Increased pay

3.1

1.5

Ill health

1.6

1.0

Additional annual leave

2.9

1.4

Embarking on career outside general practice

1.8

1.3

Opportunity for a sabbatical

2.7

1.5

Planned career break

1.3

0.89

Extended interests e.g. CCG role

2.3

1.4

   

Introduction of ‘Twenty Plus’

2.3

1.4

   

Reintroduction of the flexible careers scheme

2.0

1.3

   

Expansion of GP retainer scheme

1.9

1.3