title: Half-day release in vocational GP training: a case study of redesign based on qualitative evaluation.
abstract: Mindful of the changes to general practice (GP) and GP training over recent years, one vocational training scheme (VTS) decided to thoroughly evaluate its long-running half-day release scheme to decide if it remained fit for purpose, and to plan and implement changes in the light of findings. A literature review was first carried out to ascertain what is known about the contribution that day release and half-day release (HDR) programmes make to GP training. Little has been published on content or evaluation but there is varied experience of incorporating release training into hospital training. This case study reports the views of trainers and trainees on the HDR at Tees Valley Vocational Training Scheme, and the resultant changes made to this HDR programme by the participants. Trainers mostly valued their commitment to HDR small group teaching for their personal development as teachers and for the opportunity to 'keep in touch' with trainees during their hospital posts. Trainees were positive about the HDR programme, but requested more continuity. The plan that evolved is to continue weekly HDR throughout the training programme, keeping trainees in the same small group for three years. In ST1 and ST3 years one programme director per group facilitates each session, maintaining consistency over the year, and liaising with specialists around content. Trainers each teach two sessions in ST2 year. Elective sessions are planned for extended training.
authors.affiliation: Tees Valley Vocational Training Scheme, UK. carolyn.rigby@nhs.net
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rigby
mesh_terms: D004501:Education, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration*; D058006:General Practice / Q000193:education*; D018166:Health Care Reform / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013222:State Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration; D006113:United Kingdom