Training medical general practitioners: a conference report

Abstract

Medical doctors intending to practise as general practitioners (GPs) in the United Kingdom are now required to undertake a dedicated period of training. One year of this is undertaken largely within the practice setting and senior GPs organize and supervise it. This article reports on some principles adopted in organising a recent conference for GP trainers, and reflects on some issues that emerged. It is shown that any design for professional training must make assumptions about the future of the service. It cannot be guaranteed that younger members of the profession will share these assumptions. In this case, specifically, it is doubtful whether all practitioners will continue to construe their vocation in traditional terms.