Undergraduate GP Teaching: Creation of a Collaborative Group of GP Teachers Across Scottish Medical Schools

Chan, M., Tober, K., McElhinney, Z. and Khan, E. (2024) Undergraduate GP Teaching: Creation of a Collaborative Group of GP Teachers Across Scottish Medical Schools. Scottish Academic Primary Care Conference (NADEGS) 2024, Aberdeen, 25-26 Jan 2024.

Abstract

Introduction: A strong primary care service is closely related to the overall well-being of a population. (1) However, general practice (GP) faces numerous challenges such as a shrinking workforce, increased demands, and burnout. (2–5) The Scottish Government has highlighted increasing numbers of GPs as a priority; (6) undergraduate medical school teaching and experience in practice has an important role in this. (7) Methods: Dr Tober contacted GP representatives at Scottish medical schools to create a collaborative undergraduate GP teaching group. The aims of this group include sharing experiences of undergraduate GP teaching, identifying shared challenges for GP undergraduate teachers, and identifying opportunities for collaboration and support. This poster summarises current GP undergraduate teaching in Scotland. Scottish Graduate Entry Medicine (ScotGEM): Unique four-year programme taught by the Universities of St Andrews and Dundee in collaboration with NHS health boards across Scotland (8) Y1/2 Led by the University of St Andrews Weekly GP-based tutorials with general clinical mentor (GCM) Y3 Led by the University of Dundee 1-year longitudinal placement in GP with dedicated time for QI projects and tutorials Y4 Led by the University of Dundee Hospital based placements and monthly GCM meetings University of Glasgow: Y1/2 GP-led weekly vocational study sessions Y3 Regular GP-based clinical placements and GP-led weekly tutorials Y4/5 5-week attachments to clinical specialties including GP Community Oriented Medical Experience Track (COMET) New Scot Gov-funded scheme which gives selected medical students an enhanced experience of General Practice via student selected components (SSC), electives, or longitudinal placements University of Dundee: Y1/2 Weekly half-day GP teaching sessions (small group work, guided study, case-based teaching, workshops). “Patient journey” in Y1 Y3 Weekly half-day GP teaching sessions as above + half-day GP placement Y4 4-week GP placement + Weekly half-day GP tutor meeting throughout year Y5 4-week GP block, may be extended to 8 weeks (if capacity). See ScotGEM for BSc University of St Andrews: Y1-3 Regular GP-led primary care- and community-based clinical teaching over all 3 years via clinical skills teaching, communication skills, ethics. Additionally: Y1 GP-led virtual placements Y2 Regular GP- and community hospital-based placements Y3 A number of primary care dissertation projects with GP supervision University of Edinburgh: Y1 GP-led practical tutorials Y2 Regular GP-led teaching throughout the year Y3 BMedSci Primary Care; Longitudinal clinical placement with GP practice and GP tutor Y4 10-week GP module with alternating placement and university-based teaching Y5 No formal GP teaching Y6 4-week GP placement Conclusions: There is a wide range of GP teaching at the undergraduate level across the Scottish medical schools. Continuing to build upon collaborative relationships between medical schools may help improve the undergraduate GP curricula, resulting in more opportunities for medical students to experience and choose GP as a career. (7,9)

• Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item
• Additional Information: Poster 202401
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Khan, Esfandiyar and Tober, Dr Katherina
• Authors: Chan, M., Tober, K., McElhinney, Z., and Khan, E.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > General Practice and Primary Care
• Copyright Holders: Copyright: © 2024 The Authors
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced with permission of the author