Training experience of doctors certificated for general practice in 1985-90

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• General Practice Training
• Postgraduate Medical Education

Background:

• Review of computerized records from the Joint Committee on Postgraduate Training for General Practice.
• Analysis of post-registration experience for doctors certified between 1985-1990.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the post-registration experience offered by doctors certified by the Joint Committee on Postgraduate Training for General Practice.
• To identify trends in specialty experience over a five-year period.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of computerized records.
• Calculation of percentages for certificates issued based on prescribed experience.
• Tracking of specialty experience trends from 1985 to 1990.

Main Results:

• Certificates issued based on vocational training regulations increased from 74.4% (1985) to 89.7% (1990).
• Obstetrics/gynaecology was the most common specialty (86.4% in 1985 to 93.8% in 1990), followed by accident/emergency/general surgery and paediatrics.
• Experience in general medicine, geriatric medicine, and psychiatry showed a need for increased focus, with general medicine decreasing slightly.

Conclusions:

• There is a growing trend towards broader experience across multiple hospital specialties.
• A need exists for more doctors to gain experience in general medicine, geriatric medicine, and psychiatry.
• Despite flexibility in regulations, few doctors utilized them to diversify their experience.