ID-5184 Wonca Abstracts supplement A-K 13-10-23 - Flipbook - Page 216
WONCA 2023 Supplement 1: WONCA 2023 abstracts (A–K)
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Building research skills and culture in general practice
training: Best practice and future priorities
A/Prof Nancy Sturman1,2, Amelia Woods3, Georgia Franklin1, Dr Sophie Vasiliadis1
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The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, 2University of Queensland,
University of New South Wales
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Introduction
Research and academic culture in general practice (GP) is relatively weak compared to hospital-based
specialities, with limited structural and financial support for clinician-researcher careers. This project
aimed to understand the GP training sector’s perspectives and experience of building research skills
and academic trajectories during training, and identify best practice and future priorities as the sector
recovers from the pandemic and transitions to a new model of Australian GP training.
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Methods
Online semistructured focus group discussions, and individual and paired interviews, were conducted,
audio recorded and professionally transcribed in 2022, with a total of 31 participants including trainees,
medical educators, directors of training, recent Fellows and GP academics. Interview guides were
modified iteratively as the provisional analysis progressed. Data were coded and analysed inductively.
Overarching themes and subthemes were determined by all investigators over five online discussions.
Results
Frequently nominated challenges for building research skills included competing priorities, steep
learning curves for novice GP researchers and low visibility and accessibility of GP researcher funding,
supervision and career pathways. Key elements of best practice were: exposure to GP researcher role
models and GP research ‘success stories’; embedding research skills in clinical learning; providing
opportunities for trainees to participate in journal clubs, clinical audits and online educational modules;
and research champions in local and regional training communities. Best practice opportunities for
research-interested trainees included part-time academic posts with departments of general practice,
education research grants and support for PhD pathways. Participants also advocated for flexible
academic pathways, equitable access to opportunities across rural and regional contexts and active
collaboration across university, vocational training and clinical practice sectors.
Discussion
A stronger GP research culture and skillset (including, but not limited to, evidence-based clinical
practice) is important and in the best interests of patients, trainees and the overall status, sustainability
and revitalisation of the profession.
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