title: The perceived benefits of a two-year period of extended specialty training in general practice: the trainees' perspective.
abstract: Evidence suggests that, in the UK, the current three-year specialty training period in general practice is inadequate for equipping newly qualified GPs with mastery in all the necessary clinical and generic skills that would allow them to respond with optimum effect to the complexities and uncertainties of the generalist workplace. The North Western Deanery initiated an innovative pilot programme of extended (by 24 months) specialty training in general practice (GPST4-5). Nine ST3 trainees who had just 'graduated' from GPST, holding nMRCGP, were recruited, thereby formally deferring their application for a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT). The programme was evaluated using established qualitative research techniques. Semi-structured interviews were conducted at fixed points and data were analysed for recurring discourses and themes using a framework thematic analysis. We obtained evidence of the benefits of extended specialty training in encouraging the development of clinical mastery alongside additional specialist skills, generalist and leadership competencies. We also identified the enabling factors for beneficial extended training, including workplace-based training under educational mentorship, combined with a blended learning programme and sustained expert- and peer-support.
authors.affiliation: Medical Education at the North Western Deanery, Research and Development, North Western Deanery, Health Education North West, 3 Piccadilly Place, Manchester M1 3BN, UK. steven.agius@nw.hee.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Agius
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate General Practice Education at the North Western Deanery, UK.
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate General Practice Education at the North Western Deanery, UK.
authors.forename: Bob
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kirk
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Medical Studies at the North Western Deanery, UK.
authors.forename: Jacky
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hayden
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D058006:General Practice / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008611:Mentors; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013997:Time Factors; D006113:United Kingdom