title: Older patients' consultations in an apprenticeship model-based general practice training program: A cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate older patients' encounters with general practice registrars (GPRs) to inform training and clinical practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional analysis of data from GPR consultations across five regional training providers in Australia. Data were analysed using simple and multiple logistic regression models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our analysis included details of 118 831 consultations, 20 555 (17.6%, 95% CI 17.4-17.8) with patients aged ≥65 years. Older patient encounters had an increased likelihood of including chronic disease (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.70, 1.86) and more problems (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.20, 1.27). However, in-consultation information or advice was less likely to be sought (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.88, 0.97), and consultations were briefer (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.99, 1.00).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest relatively limited GPR exposure to older patients coupled with less complex consultations than expected. Solutions will need to be carefully constructed not only to increase caseloads, but also to address training and supervision concerns.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bonney
authors.affiliation: Elermore Vale General Practice, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.affiliation: GPSynergy, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tapley
authors.affiliation: GPSynergy, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Henderson
authors.affiliation: Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Holliday
authors.affiliation: Discipline of General Practice, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Davey
authors.affiliation: Discipline of General Practice, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Mieke
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van Driel
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Spike
authors.affiliation: GPSynergy, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Cathy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Regan
authors.affiliation: Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.affiliation: Discipline of General Practice, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Parker
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Magin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice / Q000193:education*; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000193:education*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017145:Models, Educational; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: aged care; family practice; general practice; graduate; medical; vocational education