'Bitesize' primary care focused education programme for GP trainees in their hospital component: an evaluation of a national teaching pilot.

Abstract

There is need for a greater connection between General Practice and GP trainees in their hospital component of training. Currently, in Scotland, there are no national education programmes specifically designed for GP trainees during their hospital component of training. Our aim was to develop and evaluate the feasibility of a national online 'bitesize' education programme delivered live for GP trainees in their hospital component of training. The study also aims to assess the barriers to attending these teaching sessions and whether they made trainees feel more connected to General Practice. Weekly one hour 'Bitesize' teaching sessions, delivered virtually, were organised by NHS Education for Scotland (NES) GP Medical Education Fellows during a four-week period. Eligible attendees were GP trainees (GPST1s and GPST2s) working in the hospital component of their training. An end of program questionnaire, gathering quantitative and qualitative data, was used for evaluation. There was a strong support for this programme from the attendance numbers and the questionnaire feedback responses, with GP trainees feeling more in touch with general practice and more confident in managing primary care focused topics. GP trainees agreed that a weekly, one-hour, online lunchtime session suits them. The most common barrier to attendance were work commitments and conflicts with local teaching. This pilot has emphasised the need for a structured teaching programme for GP trainees in the hospital component of training.