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/  The aim, through a series of different events, has been to capture the important aspects of General Practice to carry into the future and to develop tools and approaches that will help GPs respond to the considerable challenges ahead.

 

RCGP Scotland has now launched a set of GP Learning Tools for use in the training community to evoke discussion and original thought.  The Learning Tools comprise:

1. Prompt cards
2. Booklet

There is also a poster available at an additional cost, which describes the initiative and demonstrates the use of the prompt cards.

For an event held in 2006, a number of GPs were asked each to contribute their view, in no more than 100 words, of the most critical choices facing future students of General Practice and educators creating GPs of the future.  In addition, at a P3 meeting (Patient Partnership in Practice - RCGP Scotland’s Patient Involvement Group) held in June 2007, each member was asked to contribute 100 words on “What do you value from your GP?” and “What do you see as the unique role of your GP?”  The Essence of General Practice Steering Group, having already begun developing the collection of GP words into GP Learning Tools, agreed to amalgamate the P3 contributions with the GPs, in order to portray a more rounded picture of General Practice by offering the perspective of a variety of patients.  In fact, some used more, some less than 100 words, but the aim was to provide short and pithy paragraphs on important aspects of contemporary General Practice.

 

How do I use the GP Learning Tools?

The Booklet describes the initiative and the concept of the GP Learning Tools.

 

The prompt cards are foremost designed to encourage and evoke original thinking amongst GPs.  For instance, in the training community, a half day release or peer learning group could collectively look at the selection of cards and pick which card or cards reflects their views on which aspects of General Practice are of most importance, thus encouraging discussion amongst the group.  However, the Learning Tools are designed for use by all GPs from students to experienced practice based GPs and it is the interpretation of use to the individual that matters.

 

Who are the authors?

The authors of the ‘100 words’ contributions comprise mainly of experienced GPs or members of RCGP Scotland’s Patient Involvement Group, P3. 

 

Student Offer

RCGP Scotland are currently offering Student members of the College a 20% discount on the GP Learning Tools. For further information or to order the GP Learning Tools, please see the Information Leaflet.

 

Further Information

The Essence of General Practice GP Learning Tools are now available for sale.  The cost of a set of the Learning Tools is £35 each, with a 10% discount available for RCGP members, plus £2.50 postage and packaging.  There are discounts available for bulk purchase orders. Potential organisations who may be interested in bulk ordering include UK Deaneries, Departments of General Practice, Faculties, etc. 

 

To purchase the GP Learning Tools, please contact Leanne Brown, Projects Administrator or Laura Kelleher, Projects & Initiatives Co-ordinator at RCGP Scotland (full contact details below) or click here to print and complete a purchase slip.  Alternatively , the GP Learning Tools are available for purchase through the RCGP Bookshop

 

Laura Kelleher, Projects & Initiatives Co-ordinator

Email: lkelleher@rcgp-scotland.org.uk

Telephone: 0131 260 6826

 

Leanne Brown, Projects Administrator

Email: lbrown@rcgp-scotland.org.uk

Telephone: 0131 260 6814

 

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