Core values of employed general practitioners in Germany - a qualitative study

Area of Science:

• General Practice
• Healthcare Delivery
• Qualitative Research

Background:

• Core values guide healthcare delivery, with the European definition of general practice by WONCA emphasizing holistic, comprehensive, and continuous care.
• Traditionally, general practitioners (GPs) were often practice owners, influencing their professional values.
• The evolving landscape of healthcare includes a growing number of employed GPs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the core values of employed general practitioners (GPs).
• To understand how these core values are manifested in their professional practice.
• To identify potential new values emerging among employed GPs.

Main Methods:

• Conducted 17 semi-structured telephone interviews with employed GPs in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany.
• Interviews took place between April and May 2021.
• Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

Main Results:

• Identified twelve core values, encompassing patient care and the lives of employed GPs.
• Highly relevant values included job satisfaction, professional distance, collaboration, comprehensive care, adequate consultation time, and patient availability.
• Continuity of care, waiting times, and medical autonomy showed heterogeneous relevance. The value of "availability" created tensions between patient care and personal life.

Conclusions:

• Core values of employed GPs partially align with the WONCA definition, with indications of new values emerging.
• The increasing number of employed GPs necessitates a re-evaluation of general practice core values.
• Consideration of employed GPs' perspectives, patient needs, and practice organization is crucial for future reflection.