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Louise Stone, 2025

“Australia is facing a critical shortage of GPs. Female GPs are reducing their clinical GP work at higher rates than their male colleagues.

If we are to retain their expertise , we need to better understand what is driving their decision making .”

This study was designed to explore four questions

Why did you become a GP?

When you look back, who or what do you think influenced your decision to become a GP?
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What sustained you in General Practice?

Many of us have long careers, and General Practice is challenging. What kept you going?
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Why are you leaving?

What factors influenced your decision to retire or reduce your clinical hours?
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Is there anything that would bring you back?

What would need to change for you to reconsider your retirement from clinical General Practice?
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Study design

Method:

A survey of female Australian GPs who are retiring or planning to retire within 5 years, or are reducing their clinical work by more than 50% in General Practice

Some of the respondents to this survey will be offered a semi-structured interview

We will choose a diverse sample from the survey to interview

Methodology

We are using a narrative qualitative methodology. In this study, we are looking for turning points, times when participants made significant decisions to change their career trajectory.