What competencies do European general practice trainees value the most? A prioritisation exercise using a...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• General Practice Training
• Competency-Based Education

Background:

• General Practice is evolving, with expanded clinician roles causing stress for early-career doctors.
• Specialty training in general practice requires updated curricula to meet current demands.
• Understanding trainee perspectives is crucial for effective postgraduate training program design.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a prioritized list of essential competencies for European general practice specialty training.
• To identify skills highly valued by early-career general practitioners for their future careers.
• To inform curriculum development and enhance the training experience for new general practitioners.

Main Methods:

• A two-step Delphi-like study involving European early-career general practitioners.
• Competency identification and prioritization occurred at the Vasco da Gama Movement Forum and WONCA Europe conference.
• Data were collected through online and in-person ranking rounds to establish consensus.

Main Results:

• A consensual list of top-priority competencies for general practice training was drafted.
• The highest-ranked competencies remained consistent across two ranking rounds.
• Three key competencies were identified within each category as most essential for future training.

Conclusions:

• The identified competencies reflect the priorities of early-career European general practitioners.
• Prioritizing these skills in training programs may improve trainee satisfaction and readiness for practice.
• This competency list can guide institutions and educators in refining general practice postgraduate curricula.