Factors Influencing UK Medical Students’ Choice of General Practice: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: There are currently concerns about recruitment to UK general practice. There have been various efforts and approaches to increase recruitment to general practice, and we lack contemporary insights and knowledge about the factors that shape medical students’ career intentions. Aim: To identify and analyse the key factors influencing UK medical students' choice of general practice as a career pathway. Design and Setting: A systematic review of empirical literature about factors influencing career choice in UK undergraduate medical education synthesising both quantitative and qualitative evidence across UK medical education contexts. Method: We conducted a systematic review following the PRISMA guidelines. Systematic searches of seven electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, ERIC, Web of Science, British Education Index, and EconLit) were conducted to identify primary research published from 1990-2024. The Bland-Meurer theoretical framework structured the analysis. Results: The systematic review identified 29 studies. Three critical factors emerged: (1) An educational disconnect between GP recruitment needs and medical curricula; (2) The persistent negative hidden curriculum experienced by students in various settings; and (3) The important role of authentic clinical placements and positive role models in challenging negative stereotypes. Conclusion: The findings from this review suggest that medical education structures and institutional cultures influence medical students’ decisions about general practice careers. Medical schools and policymakers can improve recruitment by addressing the educational factors that shape career choice. Increasing high-quality general practice exposure in the curriculum, actively countering negative perceptions of GP, and promoting positive GP role models are all crucial.