Small group learning for specialists in general practice - structure, importance and potential

Participation in continuing medical education small group learning (CME-SGL) is one of several mandatory activities for the recertification of specialists in general practice. The aim of this study was to increase knowledge about the structure of the groups, doctors' experiences with participation and their attitudes to the CME groups as a setting for quality improvement initiatives.

A digital questionnaire with 28 open-ended and closed-ended questions was sent to all members of the Norwegian College of General Practice (n = 8645) and all SGL secretaries (n = 1281). The questionnaire was also accessible on the Facebook group Allmennlegeinitiativet (> 5000 members). Quantitative results are presented descriptively. We analysed the free-text responses using thematic analysis.

Among the 555 respondents, average participation in a CME group was 11.8 years (ranging from zero to 45 years). Of these, 508 (91.5 %) reported being very satisfied or extremely satisfied with their group. A total of 306 (55.1 %) strongly agreed that it is easy to discuss professional insecurities in the group, and 489 (88.1 %) always or almost always looked forward to the meetings. In the qualitative analysis, the importance of the CME groups in providing reassurance and support, as well as serving as a valuable setting for collegiality, emerged as recurring themes across the responses. Many respondents described SGL as crucial for being able to carry on working as a GP.

CME groups are a valuable setting for support and collegiality among GPs, and for discussing difficult experiences and professional insecurities.