Abstract
BackgroundLongitudinal integrated clerkships (LICs) are an innovation in medical education that are often successfully implemented in general practice contexts. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and perspectives of general practitioner (GP)-tutors on the impact of LICs on their practices, patients and the wider community.MethodsGPs affiliated with the University of Limerick School of Medicine- LIC were invited to participate in in-depth interviews. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in person and over the phone and were based on a topic guide. The guide and approach to analysis were informed by symbiosis in medical education as a conceptual lens. Data were recorded, transcribed and analysed using an inductive thematic approach.ResultsTwenty-two GPs participated. Two main themes were identified from interviews: ‘roles and relationships’ and ‘patient-centred physicians’. Five subthemes were identified which were: ‘GP-role model’, ‘community of learning’, and ‘mentorship’, ‘student doctors’ and ‘serving the community’.ConclusionLICs have the potential to develop more patient-centred future doctors, who have a greater understanding of how medicine is practised in the community. The LIC model appears to have a positive impact on all stakeholders but their success hinges on having adequate support for GPs and resourcing for the practices.
Highlights
Symbiotic relationships are the catalyst for medical education to make a difference in communities
Research conducted among graduates of the University of Limerick School of Medicine, reported that 43% of respondents chose a career in general practice [13]
The data demonstrate the powerful influence general practitioner (GP)-tutors can exert on the formation of future doctors, and there was a sense that this is underappreciated
Summary
Symbiotic relationships are the catalyst for medical education to make a difference in communities One such relationship is that between physician and student, whereby the physician practising medicine view it as their duty to train physicians of the future. In the UK, 90% of consultations in the NHS take place in general practice, but the profession is undergoing a ‘workforce crisis’ [1], with growing workloads and difficulty retaining. In this context, the School of Medicine at the University of Limerick (UL) was established in 2007; it has a strong. Longitudinal integrated clerkships (LICs) are an innovation in medical education that are often successfully implemented in general practice contexts. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and perspectives of general practitioner (GP)-tutors on the impact of LICs on their practices, patients and the wider community
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