The non-clinical contents of GP training need more attention. Results from the Finnish Physician Study

Abstract

Background: The competencies required of a GP are complex and ever-expanding. GP training should adequately cover all the content areas.

Objectives: The aim was to assess GPs’ and GP trainees’ satisfaction with their specialist training and with the contents of training. Trends in assessments over a ten-year period were investigated.

Methods: Data from Finnish national surveys of physicians conducted in 1998, 2003 and 2008 were analysed with 606, 457 and 324 GPs and GP trainees respectively being sampled in the present study. Respondents were asked how satisfied they were with their own specialist training in general, and how much instruction they had received in 12 specific areas during their specialist training.

Results: Satisfaction with GP training slowly increased during the study years. In 2008, 59% of respondents were satisfied with their training, compared to 46% in 1998. The best covered content area was clinical work. Major shortcomings were reported in many of the content areas analysed, e.g. management and leadership.

Conclusion: Although the trend in satisfaction with GP training in Finland is for the better, there are shortcomings, especially in many of the non-clinical content areas of training. More attention needs to be paid to these areas in the future.

Keywords::

• GP training
• postgraduate medical education
• vocational training
• general practice
• surveys

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

The study received funding from Finland's Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.