[Primary health care through the eyes of the general practitioner; an international study]

This study is based on a large international survey, which collected the views of general practitioners (GPs) in 11 different countries on their respective healthcare systems in 2019. Findings show that Dutch GPs are positive about the quality of GP care and that they are satisfied with their profession. However, findings also show that there is room for improvement. (i) Work pressure and work-related stress among GPs is high in the Netherlands, which may be due to moves to substitute primary care for some hospital care. (ii) Dutch GPs are behind other high-income countries in their uptake of some digital applications (e.g. video consultations). (iii) According to Dutch GPs, pressure from patients, lack of time, and fear of complaints contributes to provision of low-value care. The COVID-19 epidemic has created opportunities to improve Dutch GP care further, for example through wider uptake of digital health applications.