Promoting general practice in medical schools. Where are we now?

Alberti, H., Cottrell, E., Cullen, J., Rosenthal, J., Pope, L. and Thompson, T. (2020) Promoting general practice in medical schools. Where are we now? Education for Primary Care, 31(3), pp. 162-168. (doi: 10.1080/14739879.2020.1744192) (PMID:32213128)

Abstract

In November 2016, the Medical Schools Council and Health Education England published a joint report chaired by Professor Val Wass: ‘By choice – not by chance’ to raise the profile of general practice as a positive career choice for medical students. We sought to evaluate the impact of the report by firstly, asking the views of Heads of GP teaching at UK medical schools whether and how the report has supported them in raising the profile of general practice and secondly, describing the initiatives developed by medical schools in a national survey. There was a perception reported by heads of GP teaching that the report has been highly influential in facilitating the promotion of general practice as a career to medical students. We describe multiple specific initiatives developed in response to the report’s recommendations. The national survey confirmed that whilst there is significant variation across medical schools in their response to the specific recommendations in the report, definite progress is being made. A number of areas that need particular consideration have been highlighted and we would recommend that future surveys are completed at appropriate time intervals to review further progress.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: Undergraduate education, general practice, career choice.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Pope, Professor Lindsey
• Authors: Alberti, H., Cottrell, E., Cullen, J., Rosenthal, J., Pope, L., and Thompson, T.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: Education for Primary Care
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• ISSN: 1473-9879
• ISSN (Online): 1475-990X
• Published Online: 26 March 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor and Francis Group
• First Published: First published in Education for Primary Care 31(3): 162-168
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy