A qualitative evaluation of a novel approach to extended training for general practice in Wessex

Recent calls for specialty training for general practice to be lengthened have reopened the debate as to the role and value of extensions to training. The literature on extensions and recent developments in the debate are reviewed in this paper, followed by an evaluation report of a novel approach to an extension scheme which ran in Wessex. The scheme was specifically designed not to be 'more of the same' experience as in the final GPST3 year, instead participants worked in two contrasting practices as well as participating in a full day of bespoke 'Learning Set' education. The scheme was evaluated with participants reporting the main outcomes to be increased confidence and 'readiness' to practise, better ability to identify learning 'blind spots' and feeling better prepared to embark on a career in general practice.