A survey of ENT experience in South West Peninsula general practitioner trainees: how can post-graduate ENT training be improved?

Abstract

To assess how much ENT experience regional general practitioner trainees received, both in their undergraduate and post-graduate training, and to establish if trainees felt they required further ENT training to manage ENT complaints. An online survey was emailed to general practitioner trainees in Cornwall and Devon. Of 200 general practitioner trainees, 121 (60.5 per cent) responded to the survey. Of these respondents, 95.9 per cent felt ENT experience was important as a general practitioner; however, 59.5 per cent had no ENT experience in their post-graduate training. Sixty-five per cent of trainees had not had any formal ENT teaching since leaving medical school; however, 93.4 per cent would attend a 1-day course if offered the opportunity locally. Finally, 75.8 per cent of trainees would have liked an ENT post during their post-graduate training. Further ENT training is required for doctors in general practitioner training schemes to aid improvement of patient care. The most logical way to enhance ENT training in a post-graduate setting is through up-to-date courses held locally with a faculty made up of experts working within the specialty.