Factors associated with investment in an office medicine project by general practice residents

"Objective: To identify the factors associated with investment in an office medicine project by French general practice (GP) residents.Methods: We conducted a national survey using a web-based self-administered questionnaire and analyzed the data collected by multiple logistic regressions. The dependent variable was “an office medicine project”. The explanatory variables were both individual (socio-demographic and linked to training trajectories) and contextual (related to the available training programmes and the regional medical demography).Results: The response rate was 48.5%. Out of the 1,695 residents of the study sample, 315 (18.6%) already had a project to setup an office practice during their third cycle of medical studies. The main factors associated with this project were (p < 0.05): to receive strong academic support, to live in a rural or semi-rural area, to work as a GP locum, to perform residency training in the same city as the medical training and to perform residency training in a region with a high percentage of GPs 55 years and older.Conclusions: This study showed that a project to setup an office practice was influenced by both individual and contextual factors. Special attention should be paid to the means and content of training to ensure better support for residents, which could make office general practice more attractive."