Abstract
This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. Background: General Practice (GP) is the cornerstone of the NHS and has faced workload and workforce issues for many years. Enabling GP trainees to successfully complete their training and become independent practitioners is crucial to addressing these challenges. There is limited previous research exploring the postgraduate training experience specific to General Practice. Aim: To explore GP Trainees' experience of learning opportunities and support available during the three-year vocational training programme in the Southampton GP Education Unit. Design and Setting: 15 semi structured interviews were undertaken December 2016-2018 with participants recruited from four cohorts. Telephone interviews lasting between 30-60 minutes were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim; and analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Results and Conclusion: Two themes were identified as affecting the training experience: 'Developing clinical competence' and 'Sources of support'. Trainees perceived developing competencies relevant to General Practice was key. Busier hospital rotations with limited time for formal teaching were viewed less favourably. Trainers and peers were the main sources of support. Despite seeking a broad range of participants, interviewing trainees in difficulty was hard to achieve.
Highlights
General Practice is at the centre of healthcare delivery in the United Kingdom and accounts for 90% of patient contact taking place in the National Health Service (Royal College of General Practitioners, 2020)
This is evidenced by the overall satisfaction scores for General Practice in the General Medical Council (GMC) National Training Survey (Dale et al, 2017; GMC, 2020)a
Our results resonate with previous research which has shown that trainees view hospital-based speciality placements as variable, with some hospital-based specialities perceived as not always relevant to General Practice training and existing for the purpose of providing a service (Dale et al, 2017)
Summary
General Practice is at the centre of healthcare delivery in the United Kingdom and accounts for 90% of patient contact taking place in the National Health Service (Royal College of General Practitioners, 2020). Prior to the pandemic workload and workforce challenges in the form of rising patient demand, an ageing population, and funding and recruitment issues were key problems facing the NHS’ ability to meet the needs of patients. These challenges will likely continue beyond the pandemic. Training GPs who can adapt to this changing context in which General Practice operates is crucial if we are to address these challenges and safeguard the vital role it plays in the structure of the NHS. Enabling GP trainees to successfully complete their training and become independent practitioners is crucial to addressing these challenges. There is limited previous research exploring the postgraduate training experience specific to General Practice
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