Effects of hospital rotation on general practitioner trainee learning

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Primary Care Training
• Rural Health Workforce

Background:

• Denmark faces a shortage of general practitioners (GPs), particularly in rural areas like Region Zealand.
• Vacant GP positions raise concerns about future primary care access.
• Hospital-based GP training may influence trainees' views on rural practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how hospital rotations impact GP trainees' learning, supervision, and well-being.
• To identify factors influencing recruitment and retention in rural GP training programs.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was distributed to 55 GP trainees in Region Zealand.
• The anonymous questionnaire assessed supervision, learning opportunities, and work environment.
• Quantitative data were statistically analyzed; qualitative responses underwent thematic analysis.

Main Results:

• 60% of trainees responded, valuing supervision and learning experiences, though quality varied.
• Only 21% reported GP-specific educational activities.
• Outpatient clinics and peer sparring were identified as high-value learning formats.

Conclusions:

• Hospital rotations are crucial for GP training but face structural and educational hurdles.
• Enhancing supervision, learning relevance, and support is key.
• Improvements may enhance training and retention in rural GP positions.