Our BBT evaluation gets national attention
1 September 2017
Our report on an evaluation of “broad based training” (BBT) was released on 3rd July 2017 by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC) together with a press release.
The study was led by Alison Bullock in collaboration with colleagues from PGMDE, and funded by Health Education England.
The primary aim of the study was to find out whether the new national BBT programme better prepares trainee doctors for careers in the changing health service, compared with those following conventional pathways. Underlying this new programme was the drive to develop a new kind of generalist doctor who will be better placed to care for patients with complex needs. The results from CUREMeDE’s longitudinal, mixed methods study evidence the success of the programme, demonstrating not only how the BBT initiative achieved its aims but also revealing some unintended consequences.
It is uncommon for new developments in medical education to build in generous funding for evaluation from the outset and the AoMRC is to be credited with commissioning the study. However, it is disappointing that recruitment to the programme in England has been suspended, for undoubted political reasons and the results of the study have created quite a stir.
In Alison’s opinion, “it is unfortunate that recruitment in England – but not Wales - has ceased”. She added, “I have no doubt that some form of broader based training is required to address the changing need of patient care and I think we will come to reflect that the BBT programme was ahead of its time”
On release of the report, the Direct of Education and Standards at the General Medical Council (GMC) tweeted: “pretty important implications for planning future training pathways” (@drcolinm).
The report has also been picked up by the BMJ: http://careers.bmj.com/careers/advice/Scrapped_training_programme_was_helping_to_increase_GP_numbers%2C_review_finds
The full report and executive summary is available on our BBT project page.