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One in three GPs are likely to quit direct patient care within the next five years, according to a survey of more than 2,000 doctors.
GPs over the age of 50 are particularly likely to leave the profession, with more than half (61%) expecting to retire in the next five years. For those under 50, one in six (16%) said they are planning to leave.
While around half (51%) of respondents said they were satisfied with their job, overall job satisfaction (where 7 is extremely satisfied and 1 is extremely dissatisfied) has dropped by 0.2 points from 4.5 in 2019 to 4.3 in 2021.
Decreased satisfaction was particularly acute around the areas of ‘recognition for good work’ and ‘satisfaction with variety of job’.
Dr Richard Van Mellaerts, BMA England GP committee executive officer, said if these intentions come to fruition, the NHS will experience a “huge loss” of “highly skilled and experienced GPs”.
‘Unsurprising’ that job satisfaction has dropped
The GP Worklife Survey by University of Manchester researchers has run approximately every two years since 1999 and provides the Department of Health and Social Care with information to inform the Pay Body.
The authors noted the survey took place in the middle of the pandemic, when GPs were contending with unprecedented structural changes, including remote appointments, increased demand, critical media coverage and having to wear personal protective equipment.
For this reason, Professor Kath Checkland, who led the study, said it is “not really surprising” that job satisfaction has dropped, and hopes the results can inform support strategies and improve retention.
She added that it is “worrying” that so many GPs are planning on leaving the profession, and more work is needed to “ensure that general practice is sustainable in the long-term.”
Government must deliver its promise of 6,000 more GPs by 2024
The RCGP have similarly warned that unless the government delivers its promise of 6,000 more GPs and 26,000 more members of the wider practice team by 2024, GPs will be unable to carry out their jobs safely and effectively.
Professor Martin Marshall, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: “GPs and their teams are currently working to their limits. Over the last six months, the numbers of appointments delivered in general practice every month has exceeded pre-pandemic levels – but numbers of fully-qualified, full-time equivalent GPs are falling.
“GPs want to be able to provide good, safe and appropriate care for patients – that’s why we become GPs – but due to workload and workforce pressures this is becoming increasingly difficult, it is taking its toll on GPs’ health, and they are making the decision to leave the profession earlier than planned as a result.”