Academic careers in general practice: Scientific requirements in Europe

Abstract

This paper, based on a survey of all 25 council members of the European Academy of Teachers in General Practice (EURACT), describes requirements for scientific qualification in general practice. The career tracks for becoming a professor are different throughout Europe and the criteria to enter a research programme or to start a doctorate are diverse. Three models of academic careers have emerged: (1) career development following no formalised path (e.g. in Israel); (2) a 'liberal' model requiring a thesis (e.g. in Denmark, the Netherlands and the UK); (3) a formal procedure (habilitation) which requires completed vocational training, a number of high-quality research publications, some years of teaching experience, and a successful thesis (e.g. in Croatia, Germany, Hungary). In most European countries, research doctorates with an MD or PhD degree usually precede an appointment as professor of general practice. Although strengthening the scientific base of general practice is necessary to improve the reputation of the discipline, a liberal model for entry into an academic career may offer the best opportunities to combine academic work with primary care for general practitioners (GPs) in European countries.