A tool to assess Professional Identity Formation in general practice - A pilot with German GP trainees

Professional Identity Formation (PIF) is positively linked to wellbeing, sense of coherence, and job satisfaction. To strengthen PIF among physicians appears reasonable, especially in general practice (GP), to address shortages and retention in care. Measuring PIF is challenging, and validated tools are scarce. The aim of this study was to test a validated tool assessing in-group identification ("Leach instrument") as a correlate for PIF in GP.

In 2025, GP trainees were invited to participate in an online survey (cross-sectional study). The questionnaire incorporated the validated German version of the Leach instrument (15 items), sociodemographic data, and two open-ended questions. Analysis was performed descriptively, based on the specification of the instrument, and semi-quantitatively.

In total, 117 GP trainees participated (response rate: 44%). With a mean age of 37 years, participants were mostly female (82%) and in their final year of training. The majority had entered GP training immediately after medical school (64%). The Leach instrument was easy to complete. The analysis revealed a high quality and a high internal consistency of the two dimensions (self-investment, self-definition) and five subscales (centrality, solidarity, satisfaction, individual self-stereotyping, in-group homogeneity). Solidarity and satisfaction were particularly high. There was a high correlation between centrality and satisfaction, centrality and stereotyping, and self-investment and self-definition.

The Leach instrument (German version) was successfully tested among GP trainees. Now, PIF can be quantified at different stages of the GP training to explore influencing factors and potential longitudinal changes. Further research is necessary to develop specific measures for undergraduate, postgraduate, and continuing medical education allowing for rapid PIF in GP.