GP income in relation to workload in deprived urban areas in The Netherlands. Before and after the 1996 pay review.

BACKGROUND: General practitioner workload is higher in deprived urban areas and for the elderly. This led to the introduction of additional GP payments regarding these patients, in the UK and in the Netherlands. This study examines whether this has resulted in more equal payment for work done in the Netherlands.

METHODS: GP workload and income have been assessed on the basis of a survey among 1154 GPs (response: 62%).

RESULTS: Suggest that total GP income is still lower in deprived areas, but per hour and per patient contact the additional payments gave equity.

CONCLUSION: It is thus concluded that Dutch deprivation payments effectively compensate GPs in deprived areas for their higher workload.