GP Training lasts for three years. Normally one year is spent in General Practice and two years are spent gaining experience in hospital and specialist community posts approved for GP Training. It is usual to end the course of training with a period of six months in General Practice, and this has been made more important with the introduction of Summative Assessment. It is useful to have some experience of General Practice at the beginning of GP Training, so that you have some idea of which learning needs from your hospital experience are likely to help you in General Practice.

The two years in specialities can be spent in a variety of posts approved for General Practice training, but usually include obstetrics and paediatrics, as these posts are useful in helping you get on to the obstetric and child health surveillance lists once you are a GP.

In Barnsley we offer a three-year course of training beginning and ending with a period of six months in General Practice. The hospital jobs arranged are normally obstetrics, paediatrics, general medicine and one other (A & E, psychiatry or orthopaedics). The two six month periods in General Practice are normally spent in different practices.

Summative Assessment provides the nationally-accepted 'benchmark' for completion of training, and for entry into General Practice. This consists of four parts:

• An Audit Project.
• MCQ.
• Assessment of Consulting Skills Using Videotaped Consultations.
• Trainer's Report.

More about Summative Assessment - click here

The audit project is best done during the first six months, while the MCQ and Videotaped Consultations are best done in the final six months in General Practice. The Trainers report is finalised towards the end of the last six months. If you wish to take the MRCGP examination then a pass in part I of this exam (MCQ) will give you exemption from the MCQ section of Summative Assessment.

 

Part Time Training

Part-time training posts in General Practice can be arranged by the Course Organisers, please consult one of us for advice about your career plans.

> Who's who - meet the course team.