Work preferences and motivations of young general practitioners in Switzerland: findings from a cross-sectional survey of the Swiss Young General Practitioners Association (JHaS)

The general practitioner (GP) and pediatrician shortage in Switzerland is a multifaceted problem. Parallel to the demographic shift with many retiring GPs/pediatricans, motivation among junior doctors to become GP was low for many years due to unfavorable work-life-balance and poor working conditions compared to other specializations. The Swiss Young General Practitioners Association (JHaS), founded in 2009, is an advocate for the recruitment of young doctors into the field of family medicine. Its contribution for addressing the GPs shortage in Switzerland has been depicted in 4 consecutive surveys 2011, 2016, and 2019. This paper describes the up-to-date findings and its relations over a period of 15 years for the next generation of Swiss GPs as well as pediatricians. In a cross-sectional online survey, we asked members (students, residents, early-career GPs/pediatricians) of the Swiss Young General Practitioners Association (n = 1,999) to answer questions about their preferred type of practice and working conditions. For more clarity, we chose to use only the term GP, but pediatricians are also included. 716 members answered the survey, corresponding to a response rate of 37%. The majority of the JHaS members are women (75%). The preferred practice type seems to be group practice, 74% wish to work in a group practice with 2–5 colleagues. The suburban area offers the most attractive location (48%). Positive working climate was a major factor in choosing a practice. Most participants wish either to own the practice or to be co-owner of a group practice (62%). Almost half experience the emergency duty as feasible. Despite feasibility, the same proportion would like to give up the emergency duty. Participating members of the 2024 JHaS survey expressed a preference for working part-time as GPs or pediatricians in suburban group practices, with most aspiring to (co-)own their practice. These findings are consistent over 15 years with the previous surveys, providing clear guidance for tailoring effective career development initiatives.