Medical students with personal problems--can departments of general practice help?

The final day of the Leeds general practice attachment now includes an informal interview during which a member of the academic staff has the opportunity to uncover personal problems in medical students, or to follow up possible difficulties identified by a general practice tutor. Of 271 students interviewed in this way, 19 were felt to have problems which could adversely affect their personal life or their career at that time. Three students were referred to the medical school administration for follow-up and support in future attachments. The general practice attachment with its opportunities for intensive and personalized teaching provides a good opportunity to screen students, albeit informally, for personal difficulties and educational problems.