Recent Financial and Administrative Changes in GP Practices in the UK: Initial Experiences and Effects

Abstract

General Medical Practitioners (GPs) and their practices have been subject to a wide range of mandatory financial and administrative changes in the last few years. Explores the nature of these changes as well as providing insights into the way these demands have been managed, drawing its empirical insights from the experiences of six GP practices in one family health service authority (FHSA) in the UK with which the authors have had ongoing involvement over the last few years. Develops an understanding of the observations through recent theories of organizational change processes amplified through aspects of the sociology of professions. Concludes that, to date, GPs have managed to avoid the behavioural changes which the reforms intended through a process of delegation and displacement of the unwelcome and unwanted elements to primarily women members of the practice team (notably nurses and practice managers).