Exploring reasons behind UK doctors leaving the medical profession: a series of qualitative interviews with former UK doctors.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The retention of doctors is an important issue for the National Health Service; yet evidence suggests that the proportion of doctors wanting to leave UK medicine is increasing. Some of these doctors chose to continue their medical careers in other countries, however, some decided to leave the profession entirely.

Objectives

This was the first study to interview a cohort of UK doctors who have left the medical profession to embark on alternative careers. Participants were asked about the reasoning behind their decision to leave medicine.

Design

Qualitative study using one-to-one, semi-structured virtual interviews.

Participants

17 participants, recruited via purposive sampling.

Setting

Zoom interviews with 17 former UK doctors who had left medi

SUBMITTER: Pathmanathan A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10533793 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature