BMA quarterly tracker survey

Transcription

1 BMA quarterly tracker survey An extract of responses from GPs Health Policy and Economic Research Unit British Medical Association, 2014 bma.org.uk

2 Background The BMA s Health Policy and Economic Research Unit (HPERU) manage an online panel of approximately 3,000 member doctors. The panel is broadly representative of the main areas of medical practice and is used for the quarterly tracker survey on regular and topical health questions. The survey includes regular questions on current workload, morale and future intentions. The present survey also included a separate module of questions for GPs covering patient demand and extended hours.

3 Methodology The quarterly tracker survey was sent to all panel members excluding retired and medical students (sample size approximately 2,650). Of the 2,650 panel members, 820 were GPs. Panel members were ed a link to the survey between 4 and 24 February replies were received from GPs: a response rate of 51.2% This analysis is of GPs responses. Responses for GPs are accurate to within +/- 3.3% at the 95% confidence level. Where relevant, responses were analysed by factors such as morale and workload and any wider implication for the results is stated.

4 Demand in general practice

5 GPs response to demand in general practice GPs were asked if their practice was changing in response to their patients needs. Eight in 10 GPs said they were responding to an increased demand for emergency appointments. Demand for more emergency appointments Preference for weekday evening appointments Patients preference to see the same doctor Demand for more services within the practice (diagnostic procedures) 35.3% 44.0% 50.6% 81.7% Preference for weekend appointments 18.9% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

6 Is your practice considering applying, or has it already applied, to the Government fund to increase extended hours provision? Almost one-fifth of GPs said their practice had applied, or might apply, for funding to increase the number of hours they are open to patients. One-third of respondents reported they already offered extended hours. Yes, my practice has already applied Yes, my practice is considering applying Not applicable (we already offer an extended hours surgery) No 0% 3.1% 15.6% 32.6% 48.7% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

7 To what extent, if at all, is inappropriate use of emergency appointments a problem in your practice? More than four in 10 GPs told us that they perceived the inappropriate use of emergency appointments to be a significant or frequent problem in their practice. 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 10.1% 41.2% 48.7% 0% This is not a problem in my practice This is a significant or frequent problem in my practice This is occasionally a problem in my practice

8 Does your practice currently use a system of triage to book patient appointments? Four in 10 GPs told us their practice used a triage system to manage patient appointments according to priority. 60% 50% 50.8% In a separate analysis, there was no obvious relationship between use of triage systems and perceived misuse of emergency appointments. 40% 30% 20% 10% 39.6% 9.6% Triage is not a significant predictor of the demand for emergency appointments in this survey. 0% No Yes No, but we are looking into this Future questioning would require triage to be better defined.

9 Current Morale

10 Taking everything into account, how would you describe your current level of morale? Over half of all GPs that responded to the survey rated their current morale as low or very low. 45% 40% 35% 30% 30.7% 39.3% Using a 5-point scale (1=low, 5=high) the mean score for all GPs was 3.56 points. This score will be tracked in future quarters. 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% 1.0% Very high 13.1% High Neither high nor low Low 16.0% Very low

11 Current Workload

12 Overall, how do you perceive your current level of workload? Collectively, more than nine in 10 GPs perceived their workload to be heavy/high. 60% 50% 40% 42.3% 54.1% Over half of all GPs considered their current level of workload to be unmanageable or unsustainable. 30% 20% 10% 0% 1.2% I have a low workload 2.4% Generally manageable, low at times Generally manageable, too heavy at times Unmanageable or unsustainable

13 In the last month, how often have you worked or trained outside your regular hours? Almost half of GPs reported always working outside their regular hours in the last month. 50% 45% 40% 35% 37.2% 47.0% The proportion of GPs working outside their regular hours for a prolonged period, raises a question of what becomes assumed as regular. 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% 4.8% Not applicable 11.0% Occasionally Often Always In this question there may be some conflation between regular, desirable or expected hours under the GP contract.

14 What was the reason for working/training outside of your regular hours? More than nine in 10 GPs said that too much work was responsible for working outside their regular hours 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 92.5% 30% 20% 19.3% 19.6% 10% 0% 2.3% 4.5% Pressure from employer Pressure from collegues Personal development opportunities Due to vacancies/ staff shortages Too much work

15 Future intentions

16 In the last year have you ever considered any of the following? Almost six in 10 GPs have considered retiring early. Retiring early 56.8% Half of GPs have considered reducing their hours to work less than full-time. Working less than full time Leaving the profession Working overseas 27.7% 24.1% 53.2% Over a quarter of GPs said they had considered leaving the profession entirely. None of the above, I am satisfied with my current career Retraining in a different speciality 0% 8.8% 14.1% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

17 Steps taken to change work life balance When prompted further: Overall, almost half of GPs said they were taking or had taken action to change their work life balance. 35% 12% No, I am still considering my options Yes, I am in the process of making this change Specifically, 37% of GPs were in the process of planning early retirement. 53% Yes, I have made this change 36% were actively making plans to work less than full-time.

18 Summary GPs are changing to take account of increasing demand, such as by increasing their emergency appointments. More than half of GPs rate their morale as low. More than half of all GPs consider their current workload to be unmanageable/unsustainable. Almost half of all GPs reported always working outside their regular hours in the last month. Nearly all GPs said this was due to their workload being too high. Almost half of GPs were taking action to change their work life balance many are planning early retirement or reducing their hours.