Belonging, autonomy and burnout: Why GPs leave

About this episode

The episode discusses GP turnover and the factors influencing it with Dr. Laura Jefferson.

Today, we’re speaking to Dr Laura Jefferson, Senior Research Fellow based at the University of Manchester. We’re here to discuss her paper recently published here in the BJGP titled, ‘Understanding persistent GP turnover using work and personal characteristics: a retrospective observational study’. Title of paper: Understanding persistent GP turnover using work and personal characteristics: a retrospective observational study DOI: https://doi.org/10.3399/BJGP.2025.0260 GP turnover rates from national administrative datasets have previously been used to explore practice-level factors associated with turnover and its relationship to patient. outcomes. The individual and work characteristics associated with turnover is less well understood, with much research focusing on intentions to leave or smaller samples of GPs leaving practice. This study sought to fill this research gap, through analysis of a large dataset of GPs working experiences linked to turnover, understanding potential predictors that may offer solutions to the workforce crisis being faced in general practice. We find that GPs’ sense of autonomy, belonging and competence are significantly lower in practices with…

People in this episode

Guest: Dr Laura Jefferson

Topics covered

• GP turnover
• work characteristics
• autonomy
• belonging
• burnout
• healthcare workforce

Keywords

• GP turnover
• autonomy
• belonging
• burnout
• healthcare
• work characteristics
• workforce crisis

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Manchester, BJGP, British Journal of General Practice

Books & works: Understanding persistent GP turnover using work and personal characteristics: a retrospective observational study

More episodes of BJGP Interviews

• When mothers need more: Postnatal care and complex social needs · June 9, 2026 · 22 min
• Seeing skin differently: Eczema, acne and psoriasis in skin of colour · June 2, 2026 · 15 min
• ‘It’s not just thrush’: Navigating recurrent vulvovaginal thrush in primary care · May 26, 2026 · 18 min
• ‘They knew me’: Relationships, continuity and dementia care · May 19, 2026 · 13 min
• Choosing general practice: What shapes medical student decisions? · May 12, 2026 · 16 min
• Looking back at the BJGP Research Conference 2026 · March 24, 2026 · 12 min