GP registrars as teachers: a survey of their level of involvement and training

The role of general practice in medical education is increasing both at the undergraduate and postgraduate level. There is a paucity of evidence as to the level of involvement of GP registrars and their training to teach. Two hundred and forty one GP trainees in the Peninsula Deanery were surveyed as to their current level of involvement in teaching and their training to provide it. Seventy eight completed surveys were returned and these revealed that 62% were regularly involved in teaching but only 41% had ever received any training in this area. There was a strong feeling that teaching was an important skill for GPs with 92% of trainees wanting further training in this area. There is clearly a need for further research in this area both to identity whether this sample is representative of the situation nationally and to determine how best to equip trainees in their roles as educators now and in the future.