This report compares the approaches of five English-speaking developed countries (alphabetically) Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Although the health systems, political environments and particular challenges in these countries are diverse there are commonalities and, by comparing the various approaches there may be room to learn from each other. The focus is on the medical primary care workforce, particularly general practitioners and family physicians. The emphasis on primary care is critical as there is growing evidence that primary health care is the most efficient, equitable and responsive method to meet population health needs. 

The specific research questions addressed in this report are:

• How do different countries define populations of workforce need?
• How do they use these definitions in policy making?
• What policies do the five countries use to increase the uptake of primary care along various points of the physician production pathway?
• Which policies attempt to redistribute the general practice or family physician workforce?