title: What do deans of medical schools and heads of departments of general practice think of preregistration rotations in general practice?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  One general practice has offered preregistration rotations in general practice since 1981. Although popular with doctors who participate in the scheme, and considered a success by the associated teaching hospital, it remains the only established general practice rotation in the United Kingdom.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  A study was undertaken to assess the degree of interest in preregistration rotations in general practice expressed by medical school deans and heads of departments of general practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire was sent to all 26 deans of medical schools and all 25 heads of departments of general practice of teaching hospitals in the UK that undertook clinical training.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 24 deans (92%) and 24 heads of departments of general practice (96%) replied to the questionnaire. The scheme was thought to be of value by 58% of deans and 79% of heads of departments of general practice. Half of the teaching hospitals thought that they might consider such a rotation in the next 3-5 years. The most frequently cited problem initiating such a scheme was financial.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the current interest in medical teaching in the community, preregistration rotations in general practice deserve more attention.
authors: Lisson Grove Health Centre, London.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Wilton
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000379:methods*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D012577:Schools, Medical; D006113:United Kingdom