Exploring barriers and facilitators to salaried GP engagement in educational roles in a rural Primary Care Network

Rural general practice faces workforce shortages, recruitment difficulties and rising demand. This quality improvement project aimed to increase the number of salaried GP educators within the Weald Primary Care Network in rural Southeast England by identifying and addressing barriers to becoming Clinical or Educational Supervisors. A questionnaire completed by 9 of 16 eligible salaried GPs found that over half were interested in educator roles. Key barriers included lack of time for training, insufficient practice space and uncertainty about eligibility and training requirements. In response, the PCN provided clearer information on educator pathways, engaged practice managers, explored funding to release GPs for training and delivered a myth-busting information session. As a result, by August 2025, three salaried GPs had enrolled or intended to enrol in Clinical Supervisor training, representing a 60% increase in educator development. The study concluded that while salaried GPs are interested in educator roles, structural and organisational barriers limit participation. Targeted interventions can help expand the educator workforce, supporting recruitment, retention and the long-term sustainability of rural general practice.