The United Medical and Dental School of Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals' MSc in general practice: graduates' perspectives

Aim Higher degrees have been proposed as one means whereby general practiti oners can continue their professional development and avoid a slow decline into professional isolation and burnout. The United Medical and Dental Scho ol of Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals' MSc in general practice* has been ava ilable to experienced general practitioners for over a decade. This study r eports some of the outcomes of participation for the 76 graduates of the fi rst nine cohorts. Method As part of an ongoing programme of evaluation the graduates were sen t a questionnaire which, in addition to seeking information about attainmen t of intended outcomes, gave respondents the opportunity to write freely ab out the contribution made by the course to their own professional and perso nal development. Seventy-one graduates completed the questionnaire, a respo nse rate of 93%. Results and conclusions An increased confidence that arises not only from a broadened knowledge base and increased skills but also from a sense of hav ing been enabled to explore more deeply into their discipline, is the most frequently and highly valued outcome of participation. Graduates appreciate d having additional protected time and demonstrated an ability to use it pr oductively. A further significant outcome was the ability of the course to confront those habitual assumptions of doctors which inform their practice in a manner that was both challenging and supportive. Tendencies to profess ional isolation and burnout appear to have been reversed with a greater sen se of connectedness to their discipline. Doctors seeking to diversify their general practice careers beyond the task of providing medical services hav e found the MSc an important route for change.