THE WORKLOAD OF TRAINEES IN GENERAL-PRACTICE

During their first training period in general practice the authors fel t that they did not encounter the balanced workload which is the found ation for learning to be a GP. Previous studies confirmed the existenc e of differences in overall and specific workload between trainees and trainers. From their own experience and from the relevant literature they addressed several factors which might affect the workload of trai nees. A study was undertaken to determine differences in workload betw een trainees and trainers, and to investigate whether certain characte ristics of practice and of trainees affect the workload of trainees. D etails of surgery consultations with 34 trainee-trainer partnerships w ere recorded in the north of the Netherlands over 2 weeks. Questionnai res were filled in by trainers, trainees and practice assistants from these 34 general practices. The total number of contacts recorded was 10,103. It was found that trainees see fewer elderly and female patien ts, less chronic and oncological conditions, but more minor illnesses. They see only 30% of patients with problem behaviour. Factors that in fluence the trainees' workload, as compared to their trainers' are: li st size; selection in the allocation of patients; trainee's experience prior to starting the training stage, and the trainee's sex. Except f or problem behaviour, trainees generally see a cross-section of their trainer's practice population. Selection would provide a more balanced workload for trainees.