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Supporting GP advanced rural skills training
Author(s) -
McKenzie Andrew,
Beaton Neil,
Hollins Jane,
Jukka Clare,
Hollins Aaron
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
australian journal of rural health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.48
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1440-1584
pISSN - 1038-5282
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1584.2012.01315.x
Subject(s) - training (meteorology) , medical education , medicine , nursing , geography , meteorology
Objective The aim of this study was to: investigate doctors' experiences of support during GP advanced rural skills training, and identify strategies to improve support. Design The qualitative responses from a cross‐sectional, postal survey are reported. Setting Rural vocational training sector. Participants Sixty‐one doctors who had completed GP advanced rural skills training (procedural or non‐procedural) in Q ueensland between 1995 and J une 2009 participated in the study. Main outcome measure Advanced trained doctors' experiences of support and their strategy recommendations to improve support. Results Experiences and strategies to improve support were developed into a framework of support, consisting of three theme areas. Strategies included: provision of training and career advice to allow immediate use of advanced skills; introduction of rural attachments and rural case studies during training to ensure rural orientation; development of GP mentor and peer networks for clinical and non‐clinical support; advocacy to improve understanding and recognition of advanced rural skills training. Conclusions Expanded support is required across the pre‐enrolment, training, early practice continuum. A holistic approach to support is required. Training providers, professional bodies, health departments, universities and workforce agencies need to work together to address and resource the support needs of advanced, rural GP trainees before, during and after training.