Background
Training for General Practice is
going through major changes. The new RCGP training
curriculum, the new MRCGP examination and the new arrangements for
training at Deanery level should produce General Practitioners
(GPs) who are capable of dealing with today's challenging
Primary Care environment in the UK. Also, GPs are all
now implementing the nGMS contract which has many advantages - an
evidence base for many of the clinical targets, enhanced
remuneration for GPs, and better organisation than ever
before. However there are concerns that this population based
approach has move the focus of being a General Practitioner
(GP) away from the care of the individual patient. Good
General Practice requires both approaches in balance.
With the above facts firmly in
mind, the Essence of General Practice initiative was conceived by
RCGP Scotland in 2004, in partnership with International Futures
Forum
http://www.internationalfuturesforum.com/
to respond to the changes in general practice and define some of
the key characteristics and unique advantages of general practice.
Instead of focusing on the clinical aspects of general practice,
such as whether a GP meets the standards of the new general medical
services (nGMS) contract, the essence initiatives looks to examine
the inherent strength and complexity of the doctor-patient
relationship, key roles for future GPs and the personal qualities
which contribute to delivering high quality general practice to
every patient.
Various methods were used over a four year
period to define the characteristics of what the essence of general
practice is, including learning journeys, a discussion day for GPs
and the commission of “100 words” from GPs and patients. For
further information on work undertaken by the Essence of General
Practice Group, please visit the sections on outcomes and GP Learning
Tools.
**Limited
number of sets of the Essence of General Practice GP Learning Tools
remaining. Order yours now before they're all gone**
Webpage updated 21 July 2010