The authors explored the motivation, attitudes, and feelings of a group of five private general practitioners who had successfully taken the conjoint examination for the Fellowship of the Hong Kong College of General Practitioners and the Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners organised by the Hong Kong College of General Practitioners. A variety of incentives stimulated them to take the examination and there were many sacrifices involved in preparation for the examination. However, it was felt that much was gained by preparing and sitting for the conjoint examination, and as a result their clinical practice has also changed. Studying for the examination can be viewed as a coping strategy for burnout. Active participation in continuing medical education is evident amongst the doctors even after the examination.