Australia is facing a critical shortage of GPs. Female GPs are reducing their clinical GP work at higher rates than their male colleagues.
If we are to retain their expertise , we need to better understand what is driving their decision making .

— Louise Stone, 2025

This study was designed to explore four questions

Why did you become a GP?

When you look back, who or what do you think influenced your decision to become a GP?
What sustained you in General Practice?

Many of us have long careers, and General Practice is challenging. What kept you going?
Why are you leaving?

What factors influenced your decision to retire or reduce your clinical hours?
Is there anything that would bring you back?

What would need to change for you to reconsider your retirement from clinical General Practice?

Study Design

Method

A survey of female Australian GPs who are retiring or planning to retire within 5 years, or are reducing their clinical work by more than 50% in General Practice.

Some of the respondents to this survey will be offered a semi-structured interview.

We will choose a diverse sample from the survey to interview.

Methodology

We are using a narrative qualitative methodology. In this study, we are looking for turning points, times when participants made significant decisions to change their career trajectory.