Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 23, 2025

Author Spotlight: Evaluating Clinicians' Adoption of Ultrasound-Guided Vascular Cannulation Through Simulation Training
Published on: August 9, 2024
Cultural Attitudes towards General Practice within Medical Schools: Experiences of GP Curriculum Leaders
Emily Cottrell1, Hugh Alberti1
1School of Medicine, Cookson Building, Newcastle University Medical School, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England.
Introduction:
UK undergraduate medical curricula are under pressure to become more community-focused and generalist in approach to equip all future doctors with generalist skills and increase recruitment to generalist specialities like general practice. However, the amount of general practice teaching in UK undergraduate curricula is static or falling. Undervaluing, in the form of general practice denigration and undermining, is increasingly recognised from a student perspective. However, little is known about the perspectives of academics working within medical schools.
Aim:
To explore the cultural attitudes towards general practice within medical schools as experienced by general practice curriculum leaders.
Methods:
A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews of eight general practice curriculum leaders in UK medical schools. Purposive sampling for diversity was used. Interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
Findings:
Seven themes were identified covering 'a kaleidoscope of attitudes towards general practice', 'overt everyday denigration of general practice', 'a hidden curriculum of undervaluing general practice', 'valuing general practice: representation, recognition and respect', 'relating to others, relating to oneself', 'power, empowerment and vulnerability', and 'the pandemic as an opportunity'.
Conclusions:
Cultural attitudes towards general practice were diverse: a spectrum varying from valuing general practice to overt denigration, with a 'hidden curriculum' of subtle undervaluing of general practice. Hierarchical, tense relationships between general practice and hospital were a recurring theme. Leadership was identified as important in setting the tone for cultural attitudes, as well as indicating general practice is valued when general practitioners are included within leadership. Recommendations include a shift in narrative from denigration to mutual speciality respect between all doctors.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Obedience
Primary Healthcare Services
In 1978, international leaders convened in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, for what would be a pivotal event in global health. The Alma-Ata Declaration was the first to call...
Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System II: Health Perception Pattern
Health Perception Patterns
Health perception patterns offer valuable insights into a patient's lifestyle habits and how they may impact their GI health. These patterns include:
Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
Barriers to Effective Communication II
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...
Methods of Documentation II: POMR

