The Foundation Programme in general practice: the value added of the attachment - a Wessex experience

The general practice (GP) educational arena offers a range of learning opportunities for junior doctors in the Foundation Programme (FP). In this study we explored what might be the value added of the experience in GP for current FP trainees in their second year of training (F2s) in Wessex. This is particularly important in view of the changes introduced by the new form of training which include a competence-based curriculum, new assessment forms, and shorter length of training than previously experienced by GP trainers in Wessex (four months). The aim of our study was therefore to explore what might be the contribution of the GP attachment to the formation of FP doctors in Wessex. We collected data from trainers and trainees on their perspectives of the GP attachment using two distinct qualitative questionnaires. We show that trainees in Wessex benefit from the experience in a variety of ways. Variations on the learning opportunities offered in GP may depend on the location of the practice, social environment, cases reviewed, teaching styles, perceptions on the new curriculum and assessment, and the general management of the practice.