THE CAREER OUTCOMES FOR DOCTORS COMPLETING GENERAL-PRACTICE VOCATIONAL-TRAINING 1990-1995

Background. While much has been published about the career outcomes of doctors who completed general practice vocational training prior to 1 990, no evidence is currently available about those who have qualified since that time. Aim. To obtain information about the career paths of doctors who had completed general practice vocational training since 1990, and to compare the results with previously published data. Metho d. Postal questionnaire survey of all doctors completing Vocational tr aining during the period 1990-1995 in three regions of the United King dom. The study examined current work status, career path since complet ion of training, desire for and experience of part-time training, degr ee of difficulty in choosing and following a career, and the degree to which certain factors impeded career choice. Results. The overall res ponse rate was 64.8%, although there was a significant difference betw een the response rates for men and women. While virtually all responde rs were employed, with the majority working in general practice, women were significantly less likely than men to be working as principals i n general practice, for all cohorts. These results were very similar t o those cohorts described in earlier studies. The career paths of doct ors only became stable after about four years. Of those working in gen eral practice, about 20% found it difficult to choose their career, an d about 10% found it difficult to follow Their career. Out-of-hours wo rk was the major factor impeding career choice. Conclusion. Although t hey are taking longer to reach, the final career destinations of docto rs completing vocational training since 1990 are no different from tho se of earlier cohorts.