“I love my job, but it’s time to go”: Wellbeing triggers for retirement in Australian female GPs

Objective: Australia has a critical shortage of GPs. A third of the profession are expected to leave within the next 5 years, and recruitment initiatives are insufficient to address the gap. Female GPs practice differently to their male colleagues and seem to be reducing their clinical work at higher rates. The aim of this study was to explore the reasons why they are leaving, so that Australian communities are better able to attract and retain their expertise and capacity. Methods: The study used a narrative methodology with an online survey method. We recruited female GPs who were retiring or reducing their clinical workload by at least 50% and used descriptive, comparative and open-ended questions. The survey explored the way physical, emotional, social, financial and occupational wellbeing influenced their decisions to: • Become GPs • Remain in General Practice • Choose to leave • Consider returning Results: There was rapid uptake with 770 eligible participants completing the survey within a month. The cohort was broadly representative of the female GP population, in age, experience and geographical distribution. Female GPs expressed a deep commitment to their patients and communities, but described financial, social and occupational barriers to care that were physically, mentally and morally harmful. GPs felt “targeted” by politicians and policy makers who treated them with “malignant disregard”. Conclusions: Female GPs describe unsustainable working conditions that prevent them from working in a profession they love. Rebuilding trust will be a core task if this critical workforce is to be retained.