Randomized controlled trial of general practitioner tutor visit or mailing to encourage general practice-based education.
OBJECTIVE
Evaluation of a general practitioner tutor visit, or mailing, with regard to the amount of practice-based education occurring in general practices.


METHODS
An initial survey of all practices in the Mersey Deanery was undertaken. General practices which replied were randomly allocated to receive a GP tutor visit (n=38), to receive a mailing (n=38) or to a control group (n=36). Visits carried out by tutors covered a loosely agreed format. All practices were sent a follow-up survey identical to the original one at 6 months after the intervention.


METHODS
General practices in the Mersey Deanery, north-west England.


METHODS
General practices which had replied to an initial survey.


RESULTS
The amount of both specifically arranged and informal practice-based meetings increased in all groups. No changes were statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
This study illustrates the difficulty of assessing educational interventions by randomized controlled trials. Such interventions are often expensive, complex and difficult to standardize. A substantial amount of practice-based education is taking place.
Holden
J
J
The Medical Centre, Haydock, St Helens WA11 0JN, UK.
D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D004739:England; D005180:Faculty, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D008611:Mentors; D010819:Physician's Role; D011177:Postal Service; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires