Evaluation of consulting skills of trainee general practitioners

This pilot survey was performed primarily to confirm the identity of areas of observed weakness in the consulting styles of young graduates, thus enabling educational models to be set up to correct any deficiencies. A secondary objective was to trial the design of a research instrument and detect and rectify any design flaws for subsequent and improved surveys. The consulting skills of 98 GP registrars, enrolled in the various stages of the RACGP Training Program in Western Australia were surveyed.

A pilot survey was conducted using a recording form with a Likert rating format, designed to analyse certain defined areas of the consultation. This was conducted by skilled observers who explored five hypothesised areas of weakness.

Seven areas of concern were identified in the consulting skills of GP Registrars, with consistency across the observers. Modest improvements of skills in some but not all of these parameters occurred in the later stages of the RACGP Training Program.

One task of the pilot study was to assess the quality of the statements used with reference to the 14 aspects identified (items 9 to 22); the aim being to produce an improved instrument, with less chance of misinterpretation, in a further survey. Areas of concern were defined with some constancy across the raters and largely coincided with the hypothesised concerns. Suggestions for remedial educational input and for additional research into the same area are made.