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External clinical teaching visits in the regionalised environment
Bill Kefalas1, Tim Usherwood, Andrew Knight
1Department of General Practice, Western Clinical School, The University of Sydney.
Australian Family Physician
|December 22, 2005
Summary
External clinical teaching (ECT) visits are vital for Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) but show significant variation. New national guidelines are needed to ensure educational quality and address diverse regional needs.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- General Practice Training
- Healthcare Professional Development
Background:
- External clinical teaching (ECT) visits are a cornerstone of regional Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) programs.
- These visits are crucial for assessing and supporting trainee development within general practice settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the current implementation and variability of ECT visits across regional training providers in Australia.
- To identify common practices and areas of divergence in the delivery and purpose of ECT visits.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted involving all 22 regional training providers (RTPs) within the AGPT program.
- Data collection utilized mail and telephone contact to gather information on ECT visit practices.
Main Results:
- Seventeen of the 22 RTPs responded, revealing substantial heterogeneity in ECT visit approaches.
- Variations were noted in visitor training, reporting structures, manual availability, and the defined objectives of the visits.
Conclusions:
- Significant diversity exists in how ECT visits are utilized within Australian general practice training.
- Implementation of national guidelines is recommended to enhance educational quality and preserve regionalization diversity.
- Further discussion is required regarding the role of ECT visits in performance appraisal.