General practice supervision at a distance--is it remotely possible?
BACKGROUND
The Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS) trains GPs while in solo rural or remote practice. General practice registrars choose an experienced rural or remote practitioner as their distant supervisor.


METHODS
During a teacher training telephone tutorial series RVTS general practice supervisors discussed the unique features of this model of general practice training, and shared their perspectives on how to make this distance supervision effective.


RESULTS
This paper outlines the unique qualities of general practice registrars, the registrar-supervisor relationship and the content of tutorials, in the context of remote supervision. This paper suggests ways to provide educational support despite geographical distance.


CONCLUSIONS
Experienced rural and remote GPs can provide effective supervision at a distance. The RVTS provides an innovative, alternative model for training GPs for rural and remote practice. Further qualitative research on this topic is required.
Wearne
Susan
S
Centre for Remote Health, Alice Springs.
D001315:Australia; D020375:Education, Distance; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D019035:Rural Health Services; D013689:Telephone