KD Consulting MR Vacancies



GPs’ Leisure Habits Change
23/5/01



A new survey released by Taylor Nelson Sofres Healthcare takes a look at how GPs’ leisure and holiday habits have changed over the last 25 years. GPs are currently taking much longer holidays, with three fifths (60%) taking at least five or six weeks holiday. This is a dramatic rise when compared to only 13% in 1976.

The survey takes an in-depth and broad view of GPs’ evolving habits over the last quarter century. It also shows that just 7% of GPs now spend their holidays in the UK, compared with more than four out of 10 (43%) previously. The top destinations for GPs today are the USA and France, whilst Spain has decreased in popularity with only 9% of GPs visiting Spain in 2001, compared to 13% before.

The types of activities enjoyed by GPs in their spare time have also changed considerably:


  • Gardening has declined dramatically from 43% to only 8% today.
  • Music, one of the main leisure activities for 18% of GPs in 1976, is down to a mere 3%.
  • The computer (16%) is one of today’s top activities, and computer magazines are also the most popular type of non-medical literature.
  • Only 6% cite gym/exercise/fitness as a main hobby nowadays.


Bob Douglas, managing director of Taylor Nelson Sofres Healthcare, commented "Rapid social change and cheap and convenient travel are responsible for changes in GPs’ leisure and holiday preferences today. GPs become doctors nowadays less as a vocational calling, but more as a means of providing a good standard of living."

Material for the 1976 report (which consisted of a sample of 100 GPs) was drawn from various official statistics, syndicated and ad hoc surveys.