The survey provides a wealth of detail about the modern versus the traditional GP. One aspect, for example, is the length of waiting times for appointments. In 1976, more than four out of 10 (43%) GPs saw patients within one day of them making an appointment. This contrasts to only a quarter (26%) of today’s GPs. Equally, whilst just 6% of GPs surveyed twenty five years ago would see their patients after five days or more, this proportion has now increased to 15%.

In 1976, more than four out of 10 (45%) GPs were on call between five and nine nights each month, compared with more than one in 10 (13%) GPs today. Almost six out of 10 (58%) GPs surveyed in 1976 said that they were on-call over the weekend once or twice a month, compared to less than half (47%) of those surveyed in 2001. One in five (21%) GPs in 1976 said that they visited patients on a Saturday or Sunday three or four times a month, in contrast to just 5% today

The findings do confirm, however, that GPs today are spending marginally more time consulting with their patients than their counterparts did 25 years ago. In 1976, 95% of GPs spent between five and nine minutes with their patients. This compares with 92% of GPs in 2001, who spend between six and 11 minutes with their patients.

Juliette May, Associate Director of Taylor Nelson Sofres Healthcare, commented "Clearly, GPs’ attitudes towards the medical profession have changed considerably over the past 25 years. Becoming a GP may be a less "vocational" career now than it was in the past. In addition, increases in waiting times combined with the rise of "patient power" means that patients are demanding more time – and answers – from their doctors. This may also help to explain why GPs are taking longer holidays." The research for the 1976 survey drew on a sample of 100 GPs as well as official statistics, syndicated and ad hoc surveys. The research for the 2001 survey was conducted on the Omnimed Internet national panel of 201 GPs between 2 and 5 February 2001.