GP training in affluent practices in Scotland: the experiences of GP trainees and implications for their future practice.

Abstract

UK general practice faces workforce challenges. The pandemic, and cost-of-living crisis are felt hardest by our most deprived communities. The Scottish Government is keen to tackle Scotland's high drugs-related deaths. The perceptions and experiences of GP specialist trainees who have trained in deprived communities are already known. This qualitative study explored the perceptions and experiences of trainees from affluent practices and how this training may affect their future career. One-to-one in-depth interviews were conducted and analysed using grounded theory methods. Seven participants were interviewed. Five themes were constructed: training practice choices, perceptions of working in deprived areas, unmet learning needs for working in deprived areas, other sources of deprivation exposure and future working intentions. Most did not choose their training practice because of its affluence. They perceived that working in a deprived area would have challenges: less staff, higher rates of pathology, communication challenges, poorer patient health literacy. Addiction care was a significant unmet learning need. Most lacked confidence to work in deprived areas, and were likely to work in their training practice or similar, upon completion of training. This research has implications for ensuring equity of GP workforce provision and whether GP Specialty Training fulfils its intention of producing 'a GP who is capable of working independently in a variety of primary care settings'. Those training in highly-affluent settings may not feel able to meet this aim. Training providers should consider this limited experience and whether rotations, involving affluent and deprived area practices, would prepare future GPs to work with a range of socioeconomic populations.