Supporting clinical teachers - a review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Medical student teaching in the community has been shown to produce equivalent or improved learning outcomes compared to teaching based in the hospital setting. It is well recognised by Australian universities that there is a current shortage of clinical teachers, that these teachers are both under-resourced and underfunded and that the majority of clinical teachers have no formal training in medical education.


OBJECTIVE
A review was undertaken to determine what body of knowledge exists in the Australian literature regarding the educational support needs of general practitioners who teach medical students, and to highlight areas that require further research.


CONCLUSIONS
Need for improved support was identified in all Australian articles that assessed GP support requirements. There is sufficient evidence to guide improved support for GP clinical teachers. However, funding for more support programs is needed, as is further research into the area.
Christensen
Shane
S
Discipline of General Practice, University of Sydney, New South Wales. shane@gp.med.usyd.edu.au
D001315:Australia; D003479:Curriculum; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000191:economics; D005180:Faculty, Medical / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education*; D005378:Financial Support; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012577:Schools, Medical; D013192:Staff Development; D013337:Students, Medical; D013663:Teaching / Q000191:economics; D000078329:Workforce