The opinions of postgraduate tutors on continuing education for general practitioners

The recent big increase in learning opportunities for general practitioners, particularly in postgraduate medical centres, has been accompanied by increasing suspicion that educational activities may not be fulfilling the aims of continuing education, and that there is dissatisfaction with existing courses.This study took place in the north-western region, and 18 clinical tutors were interviewed using a structured interview schedule.Very few of the clinical tutors were aware of the existence of the book The Future General Practitioner-Learning and Teaching, and most activities consisted of lectures, lecturers usually being local and regional consultants, with occasional national authorities. Small group teaching rarely occurred, and all the centres had been supplied with videotape equipment.Most of the tutors had attended a course on audiovisual aids, or a meeting organized by the National Association of Clinical Tutors, but the tutors appeared ill at ease when answering questions about educational aims and objectives, and most tutors were unable to identify an educational objective from a group of statements.