Sustained benefits of a generalist training programme for UK doctors

A new training programme for generalist doctors (broad-based training - BBT) was introduced in 2013 and researchers at CUREMeDE conducted a 3-year study of its impact on trainee development.

CUREMeDE was delighted to be granted funding in 2021 for a follow up study to explore the impact of BBT on career decisions, sustained benefits and unintended disadvantages of the programme, and views on the future of training. That research has now been published in BMJ Open.

The results of this follow up study are based on data from the first three cohorts of BBT trainees who started the programme between 2013 and 2015. We conducted 8 interviews and received 70 survey returns (representing a response rate of 59%).

Our analysis provides clear evidence that the benefits of BBT that were expressed by participants when on the programme were sustained over time. These include the positive influence of the programme on career decisions, the value of additional experience, the insight into other specialties, and the development of a more holistic approach to patient care.

We conclude by noting how privileged the participants felt to have experienced BBT and how saddened they were that the programme was no longer available. It is our view that those who organise the training of junior doctors should give more consideration to programmes that support the development of generalists, doctors based in secondary care who can adopt a more holistic approach and work with others to navigate the care needs of complex patients.

The paper is available to download now.