Changing Working Patterns in Irish general practice: Findings from a Qualitative Remote Ethnographic Study

General practice in Ireland has changed significantly with increased participation of women in the workforce; a move from single-handed to group practices and an increased prioritisation of work life balance.

This paper explores how GP ways of working have changed. By presenting qualitative data from GPs in Ireland, we present GP perspectives on part and full time working and highlight the need to capture new ways of working by GPs (via research and routine data), and use it to inform GP workforce planning.

To provide an in-depth exploration of GP working life, the study employed a qualitative method of remote ethnography which involved recruiting 20 GPs in Ireland, conducting two online interviews with each GP and conducting an eight-week discussion via Threema (instant messaging application). Data collection was conducted from October 2024 to July 2025. Research ethics permission was granted by the institutional ethics committee.

GPs discussed heavy workloads and high work intensity, long working hours and a heavy burden of administrative work. They explained how reduced working hours and job crafting were used to reduce the intensity of their working week, achieve work-life balance and reduce their stress levels.

Participant GPs reported reducing the number of clinical sessions worked in order to protect their wellbeing and achieve work-life balance. These new ways of working must be evaluated using research and routine data collection to capture the work-as-done by GPs (rather than the work-as-imagined) in order to inform policy and GP workforce planning.