General practice workload during normal working hours in training and non-training practices

Abstract

The aim of this study was to design and test a form to review workload in training and non-training practices. The study was conducted in the Oxford, Reading and Milton Keynes districts over a period of one week and involved 31 training and 21 non-training practices consisting of 156 and 66 doctors, respectively. Doctors in training practices (excluding trainees) spent a mean of one hour less per week in contact with their patients than doctors in non-training practices. Doctors in training practices spent approximately the same time per week on administration as those in non-training practices, one hour more in both meetings and non-practice work and almost two hours more in training and studying. The mean total practice workload per doctor in training practices was two hours more than in non-training practices and, when non-practice work was included, the difference increased to three hours. Compared with other doctors, trainees saw fewer patients in the surgery, in clinics and on visits, but spent more time on studying and training. This study produced broadly similar results to previous surveys, although doctors in the present study saw fewer patients each week and spent more time with each patient than in other studies.