Influencing factors on the tendency of general practitioners to join in urban family physician program: a cross-sectional survey on Iranian physicians

Background Urban family physician program (UFPP) is initiated as pilot by policy makers as a main reform in future of primary health care in Iran. Despite an ongoing pilot implementation of this program from 2012, it remains a main question about providing sufficient number of general practitioners (GPs). This study aimed to investigate the factors which affect GPs' decision to join in the UFPP. Methods In this national cross-sectional study a sample of 666 GPs, using convenience sampling, filled a self-report questionnaire. The multivariate logistic regression was applied to explore the demographic, practice and views determinants of the tendency of GPs to join in the UFPP. Results More than half of GPs (58.6%) participated in the study had a positive tendency to join in the UFPP. Older GPs (adjusted OR = 3.72; 95%CI 1.05-13.09), working in public sector (adjusted OR = 2.26; 95%CI 1.43-3.58), lower income level (adjusted OR = 6.69; 95%CI 2.95-15.16), higher economic expectations (adjusted OR = 2.08; 95%CI 1.19-3.63), and higher satisfaction from medicine profession (adjusted OR = 2.00; 95%CI 1.14-3.51) were the main factors which increased the GPs tendency to enter in UFPP. Conclusions Decision for joining in the program is mainly affected by GPs' economic status. This clarifies that if the program can make them closer to their target income, they would be more likely to decide for joining in the program.

Automated summary

This study investigated the factors influencing GPs' decision to join the UFPP. The results showed that older age, working in the public sector, lower income level, higher economic expectations, and higher satisfaction with the medicine profession were the main factors that increased the GPs' tendency to join the UFPP.