GP Training
Perth and Scone Medical Group recognise the importance of clinicians and management working closely together. We consider ourselves to be at the forefront of the clinical effectiveness agenda, and there is a strong commitment to applying the best available evidence, both within the consulting room and in drawing up practice policies and protocols. We are committed to quality and continually strive to encourage, foster and maintain the highest possible standards of general medical practice. We completed the Royal College of General Practioners Quality Practice Award in 2004 and continue to set ourselves high standards in internal and external audits.
Our practice has been involved in education and training for both undergraduates and postgraduates for well over 20 years, and there is enthusiastic commitment from the whole of the practice team and attached staff to ensure this role continues.
Medical Students
We regularly accept 4th and 5th year medical students from Dundee University who are attached to the practice for one month blocks. They are given the opportunity to observe how members of the team work, and also to experience general practice consultation at first hand. Dr Alastair Falconer is the Lead GP for undergraduate training, supported by Dr Shackles. We offer a comprehensive timetable for our medical students but also ensure that they have the opportunity to direct their own learning. Feedback from students attached to the practice over the past year include:
"Extensive patient contact, with plenty of opportunity to learn about management of patients in primary care" (5th year student)
"An outstandingly well organised practice....welcoming from day one. Got to perform over 50 solo consultations....my confidence improved greatly by the end of the block" (5th year student)
"Tutor was very well prepared, timetabling in advance and going over all core problems etc. with good tutorials....a great block" (5th year student)
"Very friendly practice, very helpful staff. Plenty of multi-disciplinary exposure and opportunities to learn and practise practical procedures, e.g. injections, ECGs, venepuncture" (4th year student)
"This is a really good practice to do a GP attachment....all the staff were very kind and helpful and the teaching was excellent. There were lots of opportunities to see patients on my own and see lots of different aspects of primary care" (4th year student)
Foundation Year 2 Students
The practice has elected to become involved with teaching of doctors in Foundation Year 2. These doctors who have spent one year in hospital practice and are fully registered with the General Medical Council, would be attached to Perth & Scone Medical Group for a 4 month period and supervised by either Dr Shackles or Dr Burnett. Dr Burnett has considerable experience in supervising pre-registration house officers and we anticipate this would be valuable in directing the learning of FY2 doctors. We will offer a varied weekly timetable with time given over to standard general practice consultation, chronic disease management and continuing care commitments. In addition, the FY2 doctors will be involved in both practice audit and in developing practice protocols.
 |  |
| Dr D A Shackles Approved Trainer since 1998 | Dr L D Burnett Approved Trainer since 2005 |
General Practice Registrar Teaching
Previous GP Registrars have had a strong performance in the MRCGP exam and in summative assessment. We ensure that the Registrars are given all the support they need to complete these assessments, but also make sure that the registrar year is not dominated by the examination at the expense of learning the craft of general practice.
We encourage our Registrars to be self-directed and to work with the Trainers and the Partners to develop their own educational plan, and we support this with appropriate tutorials and learning experiences.
Dr Shackles is an Associate Advisor at Tayside Central Centre for General Practice with the responsibility for GPR day release course organisation, so we have good links with the postgraduate department. See also the Royal College of General Practicioners website for more information.
We are also well placed to support Registrars during the forthcoming changes with the new MRCGP exam and certification process. We aim to be fully involved in the GP specialist training schemes and are keen to support GP trainees in the early years of these schemes when they are hospital based.
The Lead Trainers are well supported by other members of the practice team who offer tutorials in areas of special interest, and are also available to support in consultation skills, problem solving and case analysis.
Registrars are provided with their own dedicated consulting room which is fully equipped with medical and computing equipment. We have an extensive library with all recommended texts, and there is access to the NHS e-library.
Dr Angie Martin is currently on the waiting list to attend the Scottish Prospective Trainers Course which will lead to her accreditation as a GP Trainer.