English GPs in areas of socioeconomic deprivation endure increased job pressures related to managing complex patients, insufficient resources, and difficulty in finding locum cover, an analysis by University of Manchester researchers has shown.
The researchers suggest that policymakers should increase funding so that deprivation is taken into account as a factor in general practice funding to address income disparities between GPs in more deprived and less deprived areas.
Published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine today and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, the researchers analysed data from over 8,500 GPs between 2015 and 2021 in the GP work life survey
They looked at the relationship between deprivation of practice population and job pressures, job satisfaction, reported income, working hours, and intentions to leave direct patient care.
The lead researcher is Dr Michael Anderson, an NIHR Clinical Lecturer at The University of Manchester and practicing GP.
He said: “This study shows how the socioeconomic deprivation of practice populations in England is adversely linked to the working conditions of the GPs that work there.
“We highlight a clear and persistent challenge in ensuring equitable healthcare provision.
“Without targeted investment and policy interventions, the difficulties faced by GPs in deprived areas will only continue to worsen, exacerbating health inequalities.”
