Theme: Postgraduate Education
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General Practice Out of Programme Study Sessions
Authors: Jonathan Rial
Aurelia Butcher
Institutions: Wessex School of General Practice, Wessex Deanery, UK
 
Background

Seven trainees from Wessex had not demonstrated enough to obtain their General Practice certificate of completion of training.  Unfortunately there were not enough GP posts to accommodate them and they were therefore placed out of programme for six months until a place became available.  This was a new experience for Wessex thus there was little guidance of previous support offered.  These trainees were able to locum in hospital jobs but not in General Practice which is the career they were training for.

Summary of Work

A bi-weekly study session was set up for these trainees to attend which was run by recently qualified GPs who were also educationalists.  This was believed to help reduce the barrier between tutor and learner, much like the principles involved in 'peer assisted learning' 1. The programme included Clinical Skills Assessment (CSA) practice with feedback, presentations by GPs who had previously struggled with the CSA as well as careers advice. The sessions were guided by the learning needs of the trainees and were thus mainly CSA exam practice

Summary of Results

After six months of the program, each of the trainees have continued to attend.  It is perceived by the supervisors that they have all improved in their consultation skills.  Unexpectedly, some gained a considerable amount of insight into the nature and purpose of the CSA and their aproach to preparing for it, which led to reflection and change in their practice.

‘I think the main important thing again was not training to pass the CSA but in my case to understand that actually the CSA is there for a reason as it is meant to reflect what is happening in the consultation room and it is supposed to see how prepared you are to continue that for the rest of your life.’

 

Conclusion

This programme allowed the trainees to keep in touch with general practice.  It also gave them the opportunity to meet with other colleagues in the same situation which psychologically has helped them.  They are now back in programme and believe that the sessions have facilitated some continuity to training despite their unfortunate position.

Take-home Messages

  • A regular supervised study session is helpful for trainees who are out of programme. 
  • It can help maintain continuity of practice as well as improve insight into training and development. 
  • Although extra funding is required for these sessions, the hope that is in the long run the outcome for the trainees will be favourable.
References

1. Irish, B. Harris, M. Skinner, L.  & Tebbatts, L. (2003) Peer-assisted Learning. Education for Primary Care 14, pp 213-29 Radcliffe Medical Press 

Background
Summary of Work
Summary of Results

Quotes:

 

'Fundamentally meeting up on Fridays has helped in giving me the moral support of a peer group in a similar situation.'

 

'Having come through the system its important to maintain a peer group to bounce ideas off and keep abreast of issues.'

 

'Something really good was the fact that we got together, shared,discussed and learned from each other experiences, in the same boat...I am very thankful to every effort made to keep our hope alive during this very, very challenging time'

Conclusion
Take-home Messages
References
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