Learning by contract in family medicine training

The Family Medicine Programme (FMP) of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners is a national programme of vocational training for general/family practice. In 1981 the decision was made to adopt 'learning by contract' as an educational method leading to the certification of training. This paper describes the educational philosophy of the FMP and its importance in this decision. The experience of the authors in the implementation of learning by contract is also described.