Distance education. Part 6. Evaluation of a core subject within the Graduate Diploma/Masters in Family Medicine. Principles of general practice.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate 'Principles of General Practice' (formerly known as the Academic Basis of General Practice), a core unit of the Graduate Diploma/Masters in Family Medicine.


METHODS
Content analysis of feedback sheets and transcripts from teleconferences were analysed to facilitate the process evaluation of this core unit. Content analysis of qualitative responses to the question: 'What did you learn?' at the end of the course formed the impact evaluation.


RESULTS
GPs who participated in the evaluation of the Principles of General Practice highlighted four learning outcomes in response to the question: 'What did you learn?' Categories included discipline specific and patient specific. Personal and professional outcomes were further divided into the following subcategories: affirmation of current practice; confidence in dealing with uncertainty; engaging in reflective practice; overcoming professional isolation; and providing opportunities for career change.


CONCLUSIONS
The most cited reasons for participating in this course were the professional and personal. Students found that the course clarified their roles, raised self-esteem and confidence, and provided them with a sense of pride in their profession. The reflective learning style resulted in students gaining insight into themselves and their therapeutic roles, with reported changes in clinical practice, including more confidence in dealing with uncertainty. In addition to meeting course objectives there were a number of unanticipated outcomes identified. The most surprising was the recognition that general practice was a medical specialty, supported by a body of literature. For some, this assisted them to overcome feelings of professional isolation and alienation. A number of students saw this course as a stimulus to blending their clinical work with a teaching role to enhance professional growth and satisfaction.
Piterman
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Department of Community Medicine and General Practice, Monash University. piterman@med.monash.edu.au
McCall
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D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum / Q000592:standards*; D020375:Education, Distance / Q000592:standards*; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000592:standards*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015397:Program Evaluation; D014739:Victoria