What does this mean? It means we are officially approved to teach and train GPs, Junior Doctors, Cambridge University Medical Students and Physicians Associates.
Why become a training practice? By fulfilling the criteria needed and incorporating this into the way we work we expect to improve and maintain a higher standard of care for our patients.
How did we achieve this?
For the Surgery: The practice is examined to ensure that it provides an appropriate learning environment. It must provide a good example both of clinical care and of management. The infrastructure must be sound, the records of high quality and the team committed to learning. The surgery was re-assessed (as part of the re-accreditation process) in July 2010 by East of England Deanery based in Cambridge.
The Trainer: The trainer is examined independently to ensure that they have sufficient knowledge of practice and education, skills appropriate to one-to-one teaching and educational management, and attitudes supportive of learning.
Dr Conway is the primary trainer in the surgery and is supported by Jeannie Szumski who is an associate trainer.
How are these standards maintained?
Every 2-3 years the practice is visited and inspected by a team of representatives from the Deanery who review the practice and interview the staff to ensue standards are being maintained. There is also feedback from GPs who have been trained at the practice. Dr Conway and Mrs Szumski are also formally assessed during this visit.
What is a GP Registrar?
This is a qualified doctor who has decided to embark on a career in general practice, much like a surgeon or physician in the hospital. Like these doctors part of their training involves spending a total of 18 months working in a teaching practice. This is usually divided into a 6 month or 12 month attachment.
How much experience do they have?
By the time you see a GP registrar they will have spent at least 5 years at medical school to qualify as a doctor. Then they will have done 2 years working in hospitals (previously known as “house jobs”). They will then start a 3 year training programme to become a GP, during which they will spend 18 months in a training practice. Often the GP Registrar will have more up to date knowledge on hospital treatment and service than we do as they have just come from a hospital job. So by the time you see this doctor they may well have been working as a doctor for 4 years.
What support does the registrar receive from the practice?
Training and education is scheduled into every day, and all GP’s at this practice participate in these sessions. The week is broken down into tutorials and debrief sessions, we also have regular practice meeting where the whole team get together. While structured training sessions are an important part of the support that the practice provides, this is also supplemented by involving the registrar in clinical audits, clinical reviews and meetings, as well as providing information on practice management and business management to ensure that the registrar has a good sense of how a practice works from all aspects. Senior GP’s are always available to assist the registrar, if this is required during a patient consultation.
Do you think you would like to be a registrar at this practice?
If you would like to arrange for an informal visit with the lead trainer (Dr Conway) or the Practice Manager (Heidi Newton) please call the surgery on 01582 722525 to schedule this.