Vocational training for general practice in inner London. Is there a dearth? And if so what's to be done?
OBJECTIVE
To identify the nature and extent of any vocational training deficit within the London initiative zone and investigate the reasons.


METHODS
Collation of statistics and postal questionnaire surveys.


METHODS
Thames regions inside and outside the London initiative zone.


METHODS
General practice registrars, trainers, principals from non-training practices, and vocational training course organisers.


METHODS
Trends in numbers of general practice registrars, proportions of trainers, views on current vocational training in inner London.


RESULTS
Numbers of general practice registrars fell significantly between 1988 and 1993 within the London initiative zone and in England overall. The number of registrars within the zone fell by more than in the rest of the Thames regions, where the decline was not statistically significant. A lower proportion of principals were approved as trainers within the zone than in the rest of the Thames regions and England overall. In their responses to the survey (88% of inner London registrars responded and 81% of outer Thames registrars) registrars suggested that improving remuneration and personal safety would make training in London more attractive. Trainers and non-trainers (response rates 89% and 66% respectively) also suggested increasing remuneration for trainers together with more protected time for training.


CONCLUSIONS
Less vocational training takes place within the London initiative zone than in the rest of the Thames regions and England overall, although there are discrepancies in official statistics. As well as specific recommendations for improving recruitment to vocational training in inner London, measures to tackle inner city deprivation should also remain high on the political agenda.
Harris
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Division of General Practice and Primary Care, St George's Hospital Medical School, London.
Silver
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T
Rink
E
E
Hilton
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002321:Career Choice; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008131:London; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000523:psychology / Q000600:supply & distribution; D013663:Teaching