Job satisfaction , intentions to quit , and the retention of GPs in England and Scotland

Retention of GPs has become a major concern in recent years. Therefore, it is important to identify the determinants of job satisfaction for GPs, and to establish the impact that job satisfaction has on GP intentions to leave medical work. This paper focused on investigating whether Scottish GPs are more satisfied with their job compared to English GPs, and the reasons for this. Data were drawn from a cross-sectional survey of 4,421 English and Scottish GPs, and analysed using limited dependent variable techniques. The overall response rate was 45%. Despite structural differences in the organisation of primary care, GPs in England and Scotland had similar levels of job satisfaction and intentions to quit, once differences in demographic, job, and practice characteristics had been accounted for. Pressures at work relating to workload, conflict within the general practice, increased demands from patients, and out of hours responsibility caused GPs to be dissatisfied with their job and voice an intention to quit. Policies aimed at creating more flexible working hours, expanding the range of contractual arrangements and employment opportunities, and establishing a more realistic expectation of the role of GPs by patients are likely to promote recruitment and retention of GPs.