Mapping general practitioners' motivation: It is not all about the money

Studies find substantial variation in healthcare providers’ treatment behaviour and responses to policies. One potential explanation may be differences in their motivation. However, healthcare providers’ motivation remains an understudied area. This study maps general practitioners’ (GPs’) motivation. Using data from a survey sent to all Danish GPs in 2019, we measure four types of motivation: extrinsic motivation, intrinsic motivation, user orientation, and public service motivation. We combine these measures with high-quality register data on GP, practice, and area characteristics. Our analyses reveal substantial heterogeneity and limited interdependence in GPs’ different motivations. Using latent profile analyses, we identify five classes of GPs: Class 1 (class probability: 53.2%): “It is about everything but the money”, Class 2 (26.5%): “It is about everything”, Class 3 (8.6%): “It is about helping others”, Class 4 (8.2%): “It is about the work”, and Class 5 (3.5%): “It is about the money and the patient”. Linear regression analyses show that motivation only to a limited extent is associated with GP, practice, and area characteristics. Our finding that “it is not all about the money” for all GPs could explain their heterogenous treatments and responses to policies. Therefore, we conclude that it may be important to consider GPs’ different motivations when predicting GPs’ treatment behaviour and designing policies.