Study of trainer/trainee workload with special reference to the care of the elderly

A study of the workload of trainers and their trainees in general practice, was undertaken throughout East Anglia. Thirty trainer/trainee pairs returned data over a two-week period and follow-up information was obtained from five pairs, eight months later. A simple encounter form was used.Trainee workloads were found to be similar to those of earlier studies, though there was considerable variation between the workloads. Trainees had little experience with elderly patients, and there was a lack of teamwork between members of the practices in providing care for the elderly.