To the Editor: The work intentions and opinions of general practice registrars are important in estimating the future supply of Australian general practitioners. Declining popularity of general practice has led to entrenched, long-term shortages (especially in rural areas),1,2 with 700 new entrants annually — well short of the 1100–1200 required to meet community needs.3 Between October and December 2008, we mailed questionnaires to 147 GP trainees (69% women) registered with Western Australian General Practice Education and Training, asking about their career intentions and opinions. Ethics approval was obtained from the University of Notre Dame Australia Human Research Ethics Committee.
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We acknowledge the support of Western Australian General Practice Education and Training (WAGPET). Thomas Brett, Diane Arnold-Reed, Dana Hince and Robert Moorhead were funded under the Commonwealth Primary Health Care Research Evaluation and Development Strategy Phase II. Cam Phan was funded by the Independent Practitioner Network.
Thomas Brett is a director of WAGPET. Robert Moorhead is a former director and training advisor with WAGPET.