RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students’ views of a career in general practice: a focus group study
JF BJGP Open
JO BJGP Open
FD Royal College of General Practitioners
SP BJGPO.2023.0257
DO 10.3399/BJGPO.2023.0257
VO 8
IS 4
A1 Hook, Zoe
A1 Jackson, Ben
A1 Alberti, Hugh
A1 Capper, Claire
A1 Hay, Fiona
A1 Hire, Carly
A1 Randles, Hannah
A1 Zachary, Juliet
A1 Protheroe, Joanne
YR 2024
UL http://bjgpopen.org/content/8/4/BJGPO.2023.0257.abstract
AB Background General practice is an essential part of healthcare systems in the UK and internationally but continues to struggle with recruitment. Despite this, few studies have explored factors that influence medical students’ career choices around primary care.Aim We aimed to revisit factors that had previously been proposed following new ways of working adopted since the COVID-19 pandemic, including the impact of these changes on learning experiences in primary care.Design & setting A qualitative study using focus groups across three English medical schools.Method Eight focus groups were held involving 33 final and penultimate year medical students. Qualitative data were analysed using a framework approach. Transcripts were coded independently by two researchers from a different institution before themes were identified.Results Six themes were identified: students’ prior career aspirations, their experience of the medical school curriculum, conceptualisation of general practice, future career predictions, views on the school’s curriculum philosophy, and the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The curriculum philosophy of each school appeared to be important in this journey and changes since the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on all themes.Conclusion Our study has confirmed previous findings that clinical experiences, the perceived narrative of the school, work–life balance, and working environment remain important to students in making career plans. However, in addition, we have found the changing landscape in general practice since the COVID-19 pandemic, including remote consulting, workload, continuity of care, and team-working, are additional factors that concern students.