NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre

Enabling translational research through partnership

MENUMENU
  • About
    • About the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre
    • A Guide to What We Do
    • Activities during COVID-19
    • Strategic Partnership Board
    • Steering Committee
    • Promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Research
    • Current Vacancies
    • Contact Us
    • Stay in Touch
  • Research
        • OUR 20 RESEARCH THEMES

        • Antimicrobial Resistance and Modernising Microbiology
        • Cardiovascular
        • Clinical Informatics and Big Data
        • Diabetes and Metabolism
        • Gastroenterology and Mucosal Immunity
        • Genomic Medicine
        • Haematology and Stem Cells
        • Imaging
        • Molecular Diagnostics
        • Multi-Modal Cancer Therapies
        • Multi-Morbidity and Long-Term Conditions
        • Musculoskeletal
        • Neurological Conditions
        • Obesity, Diet and Lifestyle
        • Partnerships for Health, Wealth and Innovation
        • Respiratory
        • Stroke and Vascular Dementia
        • Surgical Innovation and Evaluation
        • Technology and Digital Health
        • Vaccines for Emerging and Endemic Diseases
        • Oxford Biomedical Research Centre activities during COVID-19
  • Patient & Public Involvement
    • Getting involved with research
    • Researcher Guidance
    • Post an opportunity for patient and public involvement
  • Training Hub
    • Training Hub Overview
    • Clinical Academic Pathway
    • Internships
    • Preparatory Research Fellowships
    • Senior Research Fellowships
    • Research Training Bursaries
    • Doctoral Awards
    • Post-Doctoral Awards
    • Other funding
    • Leadership Training
    • Useful Links
    • Training and Education Resources
    • Upcoming Training Events & Courses
  • Industry
    • Collaborate with Oxford BRC
    • What Can We Do For Your Organisation?
    • Who Do We Work With?
    • IP and Licensing
    • Contacts for Industry
  • Videos
  • News
  • Events

News

You are here: Home > Partnerships for Health, Wealth and Innovation > Does general practice get a bad press?

Does general practice get a bad press?

15 January 2019 · Listed under Partnerships for Health, Wealth and Innovation

Newspaper articles in the UK about general practice are currently very negative, and efforts should be stepped up to influence the media to provide a more balanced perspective, according to an Oxford BRC-supported study.

The study by Eleanor Barry and Prof Trish Greenhalgh, of the University of Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, analysed over 400 articles on general practice and 100 on hospital specialties.

The paper was published on 15 January in the British Journal of General Practice.

The articles the researchers analysed depicted UK general practice as a service in crisis, with low morale and high burnout, and gaps in patient care. The traditional family doctor service was depicted as being rapidly eroded as a result of privatisation and fragmentation, with GPs portrayed as responsible for the crisis and the resulting negative impact on quality of care.

Hospital specialties were also illustrated as under pressure, but this crisis was depicted as being the fault of the government. GP leaders interviewed in the press were usually defending their specialty; hospital doctors were usually sharing their expertise.

In their paper, the authors said: “General practice in the UK is facing an unprecedented recruitment and retention crisis. A survey of GPs showed that up to 37% are highly likely to leave frontline general practice in the next five years. 

“Qualitative research studies suggest that one of the reasons for this is the lack of perceived value of general practice-based health care by the government, NHS, and the media. This not only affects the morale of doctors, but also shapes the opinions of wider society.

“To counter the depiction in the mainstream media of general practice as disorganised and inefficient, realistic messages about the funding crisis in general practice need to be conveyed. In addition, the reorganisation of primary care services to compensate for the worsening shortage of GPs could and should be depicted in a more positive light,” they said.

They said that initiatives to extend the scope of practice of other professionals such as community pharmacists, nurse practitioners and physician assistants should be highlighted.

Further research is needed, they say, to understand how negative messages in the mainstream media can be systematically countered and replaced by a more evidence-based picture of primary care.

Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash

← Concerns raised as opioid prescriptions rise across UK
Blog looks at Oxford BRC Health Impact symposium →

News

  • Study highlights ongoing COVID-19 risk in some cancer patients despite vaccination 24 May 2022
  • BRC study outlines researchers training needs and barriers 20 May 2022
  • Three new Blood and Transplant Research Units created in Oxford 18 May 2022
See full news archive

News Categories

Month Archives

Subscribe to the Oxford BRC Newsletter

Keep informed about the work of the Oxford BRC by subscribing to our Mailchimp e-newsletter. It is produced several times a year and delivers news and information about upcoming events straight to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Oxford BRC on Social Media

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Feedback

We’d love to hear your feedback. Please contact us at obrcenquiries@ouh.nhs.uk

  • Sitemap
  • Data Control and Privacy
  • Accessibility
  • Our Partners
  • Disclaimer
  • Contact

Copyright © 2022 NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre