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Background: It is generally agreed that continuing professional development (CPD) for GPs is important for quality of care. Internationally, however, different approaches to identify the learning objectives and the CPD content have been chosen. Objectives: To improve GPs’ CPD in Denmark we explore how general practitioners’ (GPs) selfexperienced learning needs can be combined with learning needs experienced from a societal perspective and still make sense for GPs. Methods: We performed a multi-dimensional learning needs analysis with a modified Delphi method in a participatory action research set-up. Twenty practice-based small learning groups and a group appointed by the Danish public health service were asked to identify learning needs with the Danish family medicine curriculum as reference. Then we asked a group of GP researchers and hospital consultants, a group of GPs with interests in narrative, person-centred medicine and a group of GP educators, and administrative staff, to triangulate the initial findings. Results: We identified educational themes through a defined collaborative consensus oriented process. Examples of themes are the diagnostic challenge, care for patients with multi-morbidity, elderly patients and children. Due to variation in requested learning objectives, the identified themes do not cover all relevant areas for CPD training. The identified themes will only make sense if seen as supplementary to other CPD activities based on GPs individual needs analyses. Conclusion: It is possible to identify prioritized educational themes for GPs through a process involving the majority of stakeholders. Nevertheless, CPD should also include activities based on individual needs analysis.

Background and aimIn general practice, care quality and patient security rests to a great extent upon doctor´s knowledge, skills and attitudes. Throughout their career, doctors continuously learn, maintaining and developing their professional ability. Contrary to what many of us believe, the main portion of our learning emanates from informal collegial interactions and from experiences that we achieve in daily practice. Undoubtedly, there is also a need for keeping up with new scientific findings that will be obtained on courses, conferences etc. There is also a need for reading on one´s own and for professionals to come together in formal small groups.Many countries have elaborated educational programs for GP:s. of which some are optional and some compulsive. In many countries CME credits are used to ascertain relevant competence and hence to allow for further practicing as a specialist.It has been argued (Janet Grant and others) that isolated learning activities like sporadic clinical courses are ineffective, unless they are reflected on and coherently managed as a part of a personal learning plan.This workshop will address two questions:1. What constitutes a national educational policy designed to fulfill the requirements of being pedagogic, feasible, cost-effective and appealing to GP:s?2. What should GP:s, professional bodies and decision-makers do to implant such a policy into practice?MethodAfter a brief introduction by workshop leaders, delegates are welcomed to inform about own experiences and share their ideas, which will be discussed later in the workshop. Result and conclusionsThe workshop will end up with a conclusion and a summary of important sayings during the session.

Udgivelsesdato: December

A questionnaire to GP-trainees concerning the assessment of an online portfolio showed that the portfolio provided focus on learning objectives and strengthened the capacity to monitor progress in competence and organisation of practical training. It stimulated knowledge consolidation and reflection in complex clinical situations. The portfolio notes furthermore provided a good starting point for trainer-trainee discussions. However, the value of the portfolio was experienced heterogeneously. Constraining factors were: lack of time and interest from the trainer, inadequate IT-facilities, missing introduction and lack of personal motivation. Udgivelsesdato: 2008-Oct-27

Udgivelsesdato: 2008-Oct-27