Table 1

Career options, benefits and drawbacks.

Career optionsBenefitsDrawbacks
GP principal

  • Good salary (n = 38)

  • Having a say (n = 35)

  • Stable job (n = 21)

  • Feel part of a practice (n = 11)

  • Management responsibility (n = 21)

  • Commitment (n = 19)

  • Longer hours (n = 15)

  • Greater responsibility (n = 14)

Salaried/part-time work

  • No management responsibility (n = 43)

  • Flexibility (n = 28)

  • Fixed contract benefits (n = 26)

  • Free time (n = 15)

  • Less input in decision making (n = 48)

  • Financially less attractive (n = 23)

  • Insecurity (n = 15)

Locum work

  • Flexibility (n = 25)

  • Experience different practices (n = 15)

  • Poor continuity (n = 19)

  • Less well supported (n = 13)

GPwSI

  • More professional respect/satisfaction (n = 10)

  • Personal interest (n = 5)

  • Maintain skills (n = 6)

  • Provide service (n = 4)

  • Limited funding/job opportunities (n = 11)

  • Reduced GP role (n = 13)

  • More training (n = 6)

  • GPwSI = GPs with Special Interests. n = number of mentions.