Hook, Z., Jackson, B. orcid.org/0000-0001-8207-6559, Alberti, H. et al. (6 more authors) (2024) The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students' views of a career in general practice. BJGP Open, 8 (4). BJGPO.2023.0257. ISSN 2398-3795
Abstract
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.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2024, The Authors. This article is Open Access: CC BY license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) |
Keywords: | COVID-19; Careers; General Practice |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health (Sheffield) > School of Medicine and Population Health The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health (Sheffield) > The Medical School (Sheffield) > Academic Unit of Medical Education (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 13 Nov 2024 11:58 |
Last Modified: | 12 Mar 2025 16:53 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Royal College of General Practitioners |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.3399/bjgpo.2023.0257 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:219585 |