Continuing education for general practitioners working in rural practice: a review of the literature

Dowling, Stephanie; Last, Jason; Finnigan, Henry; Cullen, William R.

doi:10.1080/14739879.2018.1450096

Cited by 33 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 67 publications

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“…40 Despite this, a recent review focused on CME for rural GPs concluded that distance learning initiatives did not impact on doctor performance or patient outcomes. 21 This may be due to poor uptake of internet-delivered CME. In a study of an online diabetes educational module, Paul et al found that of 34 (23.3%) GPs who enrolled on the programme, only 8 (5.5 %) completed it.…”

Section: Strengths and Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…20 What constitutes a 'small group' depends on cultural context, and the terms 'peer review group', 'quality circle', 'CME group', 'practice-based small group work', and 'small group work' are used interchangeably in different European countries. 21 Riley and colleagues 6 reported that GPs who had greater collegial supports feel less isolated, more resilient, and better able to cope with the emotional and clinical demands of their work. A recent Irish study found that GPs who attend CME-SGL may have higher morale and lower stress levels than GPs nationally.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impact of participation in continuing medical education small group learning (CME-SGL) on the stress, morale, and professional isolation of rurally-based GPs: a qualitative study in Ireland

Dowling¹,

Finnegan²,

Daly³

et al. 2019

BJGP Open

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BackgroundThe pressures of general practice contribute to high levels of stress, low morale, and burnout in some GPs. In addition, rurally-based doctors may experience significant professional isolation. Participation in continuing medical education (CME) appears to reduce stress, and may improve the retention of rural GPs.AimAs part of a larger study devised to examine the effectiveness of regular participation in CME small group learning (SGL) on rurally-based Irish GPs, this study explored whether CME-SGL had any impact on GP stress, morale, and professional isolation.Design & settingThis was a qualitative study involving four CME-SGL groups based in rural Ireland.MethodSemi-structured focus group interviews were conducted in established CME-SGL groups in four different rural geographical locations. Interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed thematically.ResultsAll members of these CME-SGL groups (n = 43) consented to interview. These GPs reported that regular meetings with an established group of trusted colleagues who are ‘in the same boat’ provided a ‘safe space’ for discussion of, and reflection on, both clinical concerns and personal worries. This interaction in a supportive, non-threatening atmosphere helped to relieve stress, lift morale, and boost self-confidence. The social aspect of CME-SGL sustained these rural GPs, and served to alleviate their sense of professional isolation.ConclusionDelivery of CME through locally-based SGL provides as an important means of supporting GPs working in rural areas. The non-educational benefits of CME-SGL, as described by these Irish GPs, are of relevance for rural doctors in other countries.

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Section: Strengths and Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of participation in continuing medical education small group learning (CME-SGL) on the stress, morale, and professional isolation of rurally-based GPs: a qualitative study in Ireland

Dowling¹,

Finnegan²,

Daly³

et al. 2019

BJGP Open

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…3 Although rural GPs are vital to the availability of primary care in rural areas of developed and developing countries and reportedly have higher CME needs than urban physicians, access to CME can be hampered by the local accessibility; expenses associated with travel, accommodations and participation fees; and increased time off for study. 4,5 The public health policy of China has always put emphasis on rural areas and grassroot communities, 6 as the quality and quantity of GPs are critical to meet the basic medical and public health needs of rural populations. 7 Although rural doctors in China undertake the duties of GPs, some receive no formal training in general practice.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, despite the strong demand, there is a relative lack of CME resources in rural areas throughout China, as in other countries. 5,9 To address this issue, the aim of the Spring Seedling Project, which is based at the Zhu Shanzhu-Gu Jie Rural Practice Ambulatory Training Center and supported by Fudan University (Shanghai, China), is to integrate social resources to improve accessibility to CME by rural GPs in China. The first program of the Spring Seedling Project was conducted in Zhaotong, a prefecture-level city in Yunnan Province.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of the Spring Seedling Project—Zhaotong Program: A study of a novel continuing medical education program for rural doctors in China

Zhu

Chen³

et al. 2020

Australian J Rural Health

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“…13 A review of the literature on continuing medical education/CPD programs for GPs in rural areas found that it was not clear whether these programs improved physician performance and patient care. 14 We have designed a new Family Medicine Brush-up Program, which is an interactive CPD program on primary care aimed at primary care physicians, using a problem-based learning approach. This program is designed to allow participants to learn family medicine through collaborative learning, acquiring the skills needed to practice as a primary care physician and handle the issues that they encounter in their workplaces (Appendix 1).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How a problem-based learning approach could help Japanese primary care physicians: a qualitative study

Seki

Fujinuma²,

Matsushima

et al. 2019

Int J Med Educ

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Objectives: This study aimed to identify training needs among primary care physicians in Japan who had no formal primary care training. Methods: We conducted a focus group interview with seven Japanese primary care physicians who had not previously undergone specialist training in primary care and had been recruited to a family medicine training program that used a problem-based learning approach. At the start of the program, the physicians attended the interview. The discussion was recorded, and the transcribed interview was analyzed using the Steps for Coding and Theorization method. Results: Three main themes emerged. First, there is a lack of standard re-education programs for physicians who move away from their specializations into primary care. Second, there is insufficient training on primary care in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education in Japan. Third, continuing professional development programs should cover the communication skills, attitudes, and behaviors necessary for primary care practice. Conclusions: This study clarified the needs to be addressed in our training program for primary care physicians involved in retraining in primary care. It is important to consider how to best include the communication skills, attitudes, and behaviors necessary for primary care among the topics covered in the program. As the program undergoes further iteration, it will be important to check whether it meets the needs of primary care practitioners. It will be necessary to investigate the needs of re-education programs for more physicians in many areas, and to emphasize the importance of primary care re-education in these abilities in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education.

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Continuing education for general practitioners working in rural practice: a review of the literature

Cited by 33 publications

References 67 publications

Impact of participation in continuing medical education small group learning (CME-SGL) on the stress, morale, and professional isolation of rurally-based GPs: a qualitative study in Ireland

Impact of participation in continuing medical education small group learning (CME-SGL) on the stress, morale, and professional isolation of rurally-based GPs: a qualitative study in Ireland

Evaluation of the Spring Seedling Project—Zhaotong Program: A study of a novel continuing medical education program for rural doctors in China

How a problem-based learning approach could help Japanese primary care physicians: a qualitative study

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