SCOTLAND's GP workforce had shrunk in real terms over the six years leading up to the pandemic, figures reveal.
The general practice workforce survey, published today by Public Health Scotland, shows that there were 3,613 whole-time equivalent (WTE) GPs in 2019.
This compared to 3,675.1 in 2013 - a reduction of around 62.
There had been signs of progress before the pandemic, however, with real-terms GP numbers rising from a low of 3,520 in 2017.
But there are fears that the rising workloads and stress brought on by Covid will drive many of those closer to retirement age - who are also more likely to work full-time - to quit practice early.
Counting doctors on the basis of WTE is the most accurate measure of the workforce, as it adjusts for part-time working which is on the rise in the profession.
By headcount, the number of GPs has gone from 4,394 in 2013 to 4,400 by 2019.
Younger GPs are now disproportionately female, with around two and a half times as many women aged 30 to 34 working in general practice in Scotland compared to men.
Female GPs are more likely to be working five to seven sessions per week, while the majority of male GPs in their 30s are working eight sessions per weekwhich is considered full-time.
Maternity leave is now the most common reason for a GP to be absent from their practice.
Overall, however, part-time working is more common in general among younger GPs than those who are older and closer to retirement.
The PHS report notes: "Males between the ages of 45 and 54 had the highest rates of WTE per GP headcount, with an average estimate of 0.99 WTE per GP.
"This suggests that almost all males within this age group were working full time, where full time is defined as 8 sessions per week."
The report also found that 86% of GP practices in Scotland were using a locum as of 2019, and 32% of practices were reporting a GP vacancy.
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