Training for systemic general practice: a new approach from the Tavistock Clinic

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Family Therapy
• Primary Care Medicine

Background:

• General practice requires complex skills to address diverse patient needs.
• Traditional postgraduate training may not adequately prepare healthcare professionals for contemporary challenges.
• Integrating social sciences can enhance understanding of patient contexts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel postgraduate training course for general practitioners (GPs) and primary care nurses.
• To apply family therapy principles to a broad scope of general practice.
• To equip healthcare professionals with skills for the 'postmodern' healthcare environment.

Main Methods:

• The course utilizes principles from family therapy.
• Training focuses on developing skills and conceptualization relevant to general practice.
• The curriculum aims to bridge general practice with social sciences.

Main Results:

• The course provides a unique training model for GPs and primary care nurses.
• It fosters a holistic approach to patient care by integrating various disciplines.
• Participants gain enhanced conceptualization skills for multifaceted general practice work.

Conclusions:

• This training model represents a potential new direction for postgraduate education in general practice.
• It effectively links clinical practice with social science perspectives.
• The course prepares doctors and nurses for the complexities of modern healthcare settings.