RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Why do patients change their general practitioner? A postal questionnaire study of patients in Avon. JF British Journal of General Practice JO Br J Gen Pract FD British Journal of General Practice SP 336 OP 338 VO 43 IS 373 A1 B Billinghurst A1 M Whitfield YR 1993 UL http://bjgp.org/content/43/373/336.abstract AB The aim of this confidential postal questionnaire study was to determine why patients change their general practitioner. Among 1423 patients who changed their general practitioner without changing their address the reason most commonly given for leaving a general practitioner was distance (41%)--three quarters of these patients mentioned only distance. Just over one third of respondents (35%) mentioned dissatisfaction with the personal care given by the general practitioner and 36% mentioned dissatisfaction with practice organization. Specific patient requirements, such as a woman doctor, were not commonly mentioned. Convenience was the commonest reason given for choosing a new doctor (53%), with recommendation or reputation mentioned by 36% of respondents and positive expectations of service by 37%. The proportion of patients that changed from any one practice was small. This type of survey may prove a useful method for family health services authorities to identify practices with a higher than normal level of patient dissatisfaction.