Postgraduate training. Policy paper prepared by the Subcommittee on Postgraduate training: Permanent Working Group of...

The Permanent Working Group of European Junior Hospital Doctors (PWG) represents the interests, in international matters, of trainees from 23 member states. The PWG recognizes the importance of postgraduate training (PGT) in the maintenance of high quality health care delivery, and in this paper presents its current policy on PGT. This replaces its policy previously published in Medical Education 1989, 23, 339-47. The paper examines the context within which PGT occurs, and calls for an urgent review of its provision and funding. Basic principles, such as PGT existing within a continuum of medical education and the application of a quality assurance-based model, underpin the development of later sections on the structure, process and outcomes of PGT. These recommend the establishment of structured training programmes which should incorporate modern educational practice in the provision and monitoring of PGT. Emphasis is placed on the opportunities for training in the clinical setting and the utilization of a range of educational techniques. Evaluation and guidance by and of clinical supervisors and designated trainers is linked with the responsibilities of the trainee, and is placed within the context of a system of accountability, thus closing the quality assurance cycle. It is recommended that the views of the consumers of PGT, the trainees, are more fully considered in the development of training programmes. Finally, the potential for further harmonization is considered, with cautious advances being proposed.