Variations in the range of services provided by general practitioners.

The debate about the future role of the general practitioner includes discussion about the range of services which should be on offer in addition to general medical services. Drawing on evidence from a nationally representative sample of 1419 general practitioners this paper examines the reality of what is currently being provided in general practice in the UK. The analyses produce figures that are compatible with the hypothesis that there is a form of creeping specialization taking place with general practitioners tending to provide one type of service at the exclusion of the others. Doctors appeared to cluster into three distinct groups--opportunistic health educators, minor surgeons and those who provide services for women. The implications of these and other findings are discussed.