Growth of self-perceived clinical competence in postgraduate training for general practice and its relation to potentially influencing factors.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the increase in self-perceived clinical competence during a three-year postgraduate training in general practice and to explore the relation between the growth of self-perceived competence and several background variables.


METHODS
Cohort, 1995-1998.


METHODS
Three-year Postgraduate Training for General practice in the Netherlands


METHODS
All Dutch trainees who followed postgraduate training from September 1995 to September 1998 (N=191).


METHODS
We asked the trainees at the start and at the end of their postgraduate training to complete a questionnaire, which assessed their self-perceived knowledge, clinical skills and consultations skills. We collected information about potentially influencing background variables. Amongst these were variables such as: age, gender, prior medical experience, the effort someone has spent upon her/his education, insight in weak and strong areas of clinical competence and knowledge and skills levels.


METHODS
Self-perceived competence.


RESULTS
A total of 127 trainees completed both questionnaires (190 at the first administration and 128 at the second one). We found statistically significant growth of self-perceived clinical competence. Self-perceived consultation skills increased more than self-perceived knowledge and clinical skills. The afore mentioned background variables did not relate in any way with the growth of self-perceived clinical competence.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that a 3-year postgraduate training in general practice enhances self-perceived clinical competence. However, we still do not know how to explain this improvement. Further study into the theoretical concept of self-assessment in medical education and into the factors contributing to the feeling of being competent, is required.
Kramer
A W M
AW
Centre for Postgraduate Training in General Practice, University Medical Centre , Nijmegen, The Netherlands. awmkramer@xs4all.nl.
Zuithoff
P
P
Jansen
J J M
JJ
Tan
L H C
LH
Grol
R P T M
RP
Van der Vleuten
C P M
CP
D000367:Age Factors; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012737:Sex Factors; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*