Mapping the ideal job: insights into job resources of general practitioner trainees

Job resources are aspects of work that stimulate development, enhance work engagement and performance, help achieve goals and provide protection from the negative health effects of work demands. Identifying the job resources in GP trainees' work may provide ways to support their wellbeing and future careers in primary care. This study explores how GP trainees perceive their ideal job and identify job resources.

GP trainees attending an orientation course at the University of Eastern Finland were assigned to describe their ideal job. The descriptions were analyzed using abductive qualitative content analysis, where elements of job resources in the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model were applied as the theoretical framework.

Continuity of care, patient-centered care, community orientation, and comprehensiveness were key resources in the ideal job of a GP trainee. GP trainees aspired to work as GPs in well-managed clinics that offer opportunities for diverse skill utilization, professional development, collaborative practice, and autonomy in work management. They also prioritized achieving a healthy work-life balance and maintaining a manageable workload.

GP trainees demonstrated a strong commitment to the core values and principles of general practice. This study suggests that it is essential to design jobs that align with these values and offer diverse work tasks, autonomy in work management, opportunities for continuous professional development, and balanced work-life integration. Prioritizing these elements in job design strategies could enhance GPs' occupational well-being and maintain their dedication to primary care throughout their careers.