Education and training module for a specialist registrar: a move forward in specialist registrar education

A new post was created in Portsmouth. This produced the opportunity, for a new and innovative approach to the education and training module for the specialist registrar (SpR) training programme. The GP tutor with supervision from the university, designed, implemented and evaluated the module. It took place during the first five months of the SpR contract. The method used was a case study in which the SpR was encouraged to reflect on practice. The learning outcomes were documented initially by the GP tutor and,finally, by the SpR using a logbook based on the dental professional development log. Reflecting on practice enabled the SpR to produce the evidence of her own learning and plan her future learning needs. The project highlights the advantages and problems of reflecting on practice. These issues must be addressed if the conflict between the need to produce the competent doctor and the demands of an educationally sound programme are to be resolved, to create critical thinking and autonomous lifelong, self-directed learners.