Primärvården som arbetsplats : en studie över distriktsläkarnas nuvarande arbetssituation och deras tankar om framtidens vård

Abstract

Aim: What are the factors that influence the primary care physician´s decision to stay in primary care or choosing to leave primary care? What are the primary care physician´s thoughts about how to make primary care physicians remain in primary care and apply for it in the future? What are their thoughts about the future of primary care and the digital development in primary care?

Background: With an aging population and more patients with a complex clinical picture the demands on primary care and primary care physicians have increased. More of diagnostics, treatment and follow-up have shifted from hospital care to primary care. Many primary care centers are short of primary care physicians. The staff turnover is high and a few are working full-time. The technology is developing rapidly and digital care is increasing. Primary care is facing several challenges for the future. One of the major challenges is how to get the primary care physicians to stay in primary care and apply for it in the future.

Method: In this study a qualitative interview study with six primary care physicians has been performed. Two of the interviewees had left their work in primary care and the other ones worked between 80-100% in primary care. Six semi-structured interviews were used for data collection and analysis was done by qualitative content analysis.

Results: The primary care physicians stated that their mission and their special role in health care need to be clarified to make primary care physicians stay in primary care. They saw a need for increased resources to primary care, better cooperation with the specialist medical care and other institutions and a developed teamwork. Those who enjoyed working in primary care said they had a good support from the manager, the management, and their colleagues. They also stated a good control of their work situation. Those who had left primary care stated lack of support. The primary care physicians were cautiously positive about the future of healthcare, including the technical development but did not have much experience in digital healthcare.

Conclusion: Adequate resources, a defined, clear mission, good cooperation with other institutions, a good working environment with a developed team work, time for learning and reflection are factors that are important to make primary care physicians stay in primary care and to apply for it in the future.