Strengthening integration of pathways into general practice in Australia: a virtual workshop study with stakeholders.

Abstract

Background: There remains an urgent need for more medical graduates choosing general practice to address expanding general practitioner (GP) workforce shortages. Priority interventions remain unclear but strengthened integration of medical training pathways into general practice may help.

Aim: To explore stakeholder views on ways to strengthen integration of pathways into general practice across the medical education and training pipeline.

Design & setting: Participatory research virtual workshop. Participants were purposively sampled to include representation across the Australian medical education and GP training sector.

Method: Using a nominal group technique, participants were prompted to generate suggestions in activities that build upon known factors, and to discuss proposed new and modified solutions to the GP shortage. Content analysis and synthesis supported iterative review of the categorisation framework until team consensus was reached.

Results: 17 participants (four workshops) made 145 suggestions, which were refined to 67 proposed interventions. There were three overarching categories: 1) improved equity in pay and status for GP trainees and specialists; 2) increased systemic exposure to general practice and generalism; and 3) clearer pathway options to general practice and generalism.

Conclusion: General practice pathways could be strengthened by increased exposure to general practice working conditions and generalism philosophies, along with clearer transitions between different training stages. However, increased equity of resources and the status of general practice within medical specialties were also very important macro factors, beyond education and training alone. Thus, GP pathway interventions require reconfiguration supporting integration into the medical training system to actively value GP healthcare contributions.