Fiona Patterson | PubMed Health

PubMed2005

A new selection system to recruit general practice registrars: preliminary findings from a validation study.

OBJECTIVE: To design and validate a new competency based selection system to recruit general practice registrars, comprising a competency based application form, referees' reports, and an assessment centre. DESIGN: Longitudinal predictive validity study and a matched case comparison. SETTING: South Yorkshire and East Midlands region, United Kingdom, comprising three deaneries. PARTICIPANTS: 46 of 167 doctors were followed up in training after three months in practice, and 20 general practice trainers were selected by using traditional recruitment methods. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Trainer ratings of trainee performance in practice on targeted competencies. RESULTS: Performance ratings of targeted competencies at the assessment centre predicted trainer ratings of performance in the job. Furthermore, those trainees recruited through the new competency based process performed significantly better in the job than those recruited through traditional recruitment processes. CONCLUSION: A new competency based selection process using assessment centres improves the validity of selection of general practice registrars compared with traditional selection techniques.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Developing an education and assessment framework for the Foundation Programme.

AIM: To develop an education and assessment framework for the second year of the Foundation Programme (F2). METHODS: A total of 23 PRHOs were recruited to the F2 pilot in August 2003. The training posts included a variety of specialties at 2 hospital trusts plus primary care. Trainee expectations and satisfaction were evaluated using questionnaires administered before and at the end of the pilot. At the end of the pilot, 10 trainees participated in a focus group and 19 trainers participated in a semistructured telephone interview. RESULTS: The majority of trainees (78%) felt that their expectations of the F2 pilot were met and all felt that they had improved their generic skills. Attendance at the generic education programme was 95%. The majority of trainees found the assessment framework useful. The percentage of undecided trainees in terms of career aspirations dropped from 48% to 13%. Trainees valued the breadth of experience provide by the year and the support provided by the programme directors and each other. A need for better communication, administrative support and time for assessment was highlighted by the trainers. CONCLUSIONS: Early, focused education on generic skills will benefit both doctors and their patients. More varied career experience will help to ensure that doctors make appropriate and timely career decisions. Pilots are identifying good practice and areas that need improvement.

Attitude↗