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General practitioners and their staff
Summary
Doctoral practices saw a rise in ancillary staff post-1966. However, increasing doctor numbers did not yield staff economies, with hiring favoring personal qualities over academic ones for receptionists.
Area of Science:
- Medical practice management
- Healthcare administration
Background:
- Ancillary staff in medical practices have increased significantly since the Doctors' Charter of 1966.
- Understanding the composition and hiring practices of ancillary staff is crucial for efficient healthcare delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the practices and staff of a random sample of 158 doctors.
- To investigate the relationship between practice size and staff economies.
- To identify preferred characteristics for hiring receptionists.
Main Methods:
- A random sample of 158 doctors' practices was surveyed.
- Data on practice staff composition and hiring preferences were collected.
Main Results:
- No staff economies were observed as the number of doctors in a practice increased.
- Doctors prioritized personal qualities (e.g., maturity, parental experience) over academic achievements when selecting receptionists.
- A high standard of work and understanding human behavior were deemed important for receptionists.
Conclusions:
- The increase in ancillary staff has not led to cost savings through economies of scale in general practices.
- Hiring decisions for receptionists emphasize interpersonal skills and experience, suggesting a focus on patient interaction quality.