Today, we’re speaking to Dr Laura Jefferson, Senior Research Fellow based at the University of Manchester. We’re here to discuss her paper recently published here in the BJGP titled, ‘Understanding persistent GP turnover using work and personal characteristics: a retrospective observational study’.
Title of paper: Understanding persistent GP turnover using work and personal characteristics: a retrospective observational study
Available at: https://doi.org/10.3399/BJGP.2025.0260
GP turnover rates from national administrative datasets have previously been used to explore practice-level factors associated with turnover and its relationship to patient. outcomes. The individual and work characteristics associated with turnover is less well understood, with much research focusing on intentions to leave or smaller samples of GPs leaving practice. This study sought to fill this research gap, through analysis of a large dataset of GPs working experiences linked to turnover, understanding potential predictors that may offer solutions to the workforce crisis being faced in general practice. We find that GPs’ sense of autonomy, belonging and competence are significantly lower in practices with problems with persistent turnover and demonstrate how satisfaction with work characteristics such as working hours and experiences of strained relationships differs in practices with persistent turnover.
Funding notes
This research was funded through a Fellowship with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR304128). MS and KC are NIHR Senior Investigators. The GP Worklife Survey is funded by the NIHR Policy Research Programme through the Policy Research Unit on Health and Social Care Systems and Commissioning (PRUComm). The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.
