[Young physicians' view on factors that increase the attractiveness of general practice]

The objectives of this study are to investigate young physicians' career plans at the end of their residency, and to assess what factors contribute in their view to improve the image of family medicine/general practice and make it an attractive career goal.

As part of a prospective study on career determinants in young physicians, begun in 2001, 534 residents were asked in 2007 about their aspired to professional career, their planned model of private practice, arguments against or for family medicine/general practice, respectively, and factors to improve the attractiveness of the latter.

Of the study sample, 84 participants (42% men, 58% women) decided on family medicine (60% specialise in primary care, 40% in general internal medicine), 450 specialise in other medical specialties. Of the 534 study participants, 208 plan to work in a private practice, mostly in a group practice (88%). Of the future family physicians, 49% want to open their practice in an urban area, of the future specialists the respective number is 77%. Main reasons not to decide on family medicine are the uncertain development in health policy and the low income. The diversity of work, the broad spectrum of patients and the continuity in the doctor-patient relationship are named as factors in favour of family medicine. The possibility to run interdisciplinary group practices and better financial conditions are crucial factors to make family medicine an attractive career goal for young physicians.

Family medicine is still assessed as an interesting field, however, the conditions of work as a family physician/general practitioner have a deterrent effect on young physicians.