Volume 8

LEADING ARTICLES

The summative package: a closer look
Martin Rhodes and Alison Wolf

The summative assessment package: an alternative view
Denis Pereira Gray, Stuart Murray, John Haslar, David Percy, Justin Allen, Malcolm Freeth, Jacky Hayden

Summative assessment - a front line perspective
Henry Tegner

The Radcliffe writing award and other matters
Declan Dwyer

What does the statistical referee look for? A personal view
Michael Dewey

Registrar projects
Sean Coughlin

ARTICLES

The Calgary-Cambridge approach to communication skills teaching 2: the SET-GO method of descriptive feedback
Jonathan Silverman, Juliet Draper and Suzanne M Kurtz
This new approach to consultation analysis depends on giving the learners helpful feedback. Here are lots of ideas as to how to do it.

The response of general practitioners in Northern Ireland to postgraduate medical education
Agnes McKnight, Terry Bradley, Willie Thompson, Alex McEwen and Rosemary Kilpatrick
The PGEA system is as unpopular in Northern Ireland as it is elsewhere in the UK but there is some hope of change

Why do trainers train?
Roland Spencer-Jones
What motivates trainers and does it affect the training that they offer?

Summative assessment of general practice registrars' projects: reliability of the Yorkshire scheduleAlison Evans, Philip Nolan, Susan Bogle, William Hall and Jamie Bahrami
An objective marking schedule is reliable and adaptable to a variety of different projects.

General practice trainees in the 'borderline' zone of competence: the experience of remediation at a regional general practice training and education centre
Sanjiv Shah, Sheila Knowlden, Robert Fisher, Mark Harris and Guan Yeo
GP registrars of doubtful competence can be identified early and offered intensive feedback and supervision. It works.

A professional development year in general practice - the vocationally trained associates scheme Erika Salmon and Richard Savage
A transitional year between registrar and principal brings benefits to all.

Student attitudes to small group teaching
Elan Preston-Whyte and Robert Fraser
Students perceive many of their small group tutors to be of poor quality. Good educational methods only work if the teachers are trained.

Distant supervision in training for remote medical practice
Richard Hays and Lawrence Peterson
Senior trainees can work and learn successfully alone in remote practices. Phone and fax contact with a distant trainer is enough.

The role of a practice manager in training practice assessment visits
Neil Johnson, John Hasler, Lynne Hobden-Clarke and Carol Bryceland
Managers add a new dimension to approval visits to training practices - and the GPs are pleased to see them.

An in-country general practice teaching workshop in Poland
Domhnall MacAuley, Genevieve McGuire and Martin Rouse
Polish doctors have little experience of general practice or of small group teaching. A three day workshop helped them with both

A glossary of educational terms
John Pitts and David Percy
Here at last are explanations of all those jargon words that none of us could admit we didn't understand.

The Vocationally Trained Associate (VTA) scheme: outcomes after the first two years - i) the VTAs
Erika Salmon and Richard Savage
Vocationally trained associates valued their further training. Most decided to remain in inner London though usually not as principals

The Vocationally Trained Associate (VTA) scheme: outcomes after the first two years - ii) the impact on the practices
Erika Salmon and Richard Savage
VTAs were generally welcomed in their practices. The attachment did not always help the stresses that the practices were under.

The acceptability of whole-context role play
John Skelton, Phil Hammond, David Fitzmaurice and Connie Wiskin.
Pre-clinical students do not have to be treated with kid gloves. Within the supportive small group they can understand complex issues.

The perception and use of mental health educational packs by GP teachers. Is training necessary?
Andrew Singleton, Frank Smith and Barry Lewis
Even the most imaginative educational packs are liable just to gather dust unless tutors are trained in their use.

An assessment of hospital training for general practice in the west of Scotland
Diane Kelly and T Stuart Murray
Yet another sorry story of dissatisfaction with the teaching available in many hospital posts. Are improvements possible?

'Easier to take no easier to pass' - the MRCGP goes modular
Roger Neighbour
A complete description of the new MRCGP exam.

Vocational training for general practice: course organizer controlled funding to construct innovative senior house officer posts
Richard Savage, Rebecca Torry, Clare Vaughan and Bob Horner
The hospital component of vocational training can be transformed - but it needs adequate funding and lots of enthusiasm.

The emotional diary - a framework for reflective practice
John Howard
Keeping a diary of feelings can ease isolation and improve performance.

What can general practitioners learn from third party feedback of their consultations?
Sarah Radcliffe and Peter Campion
Balint style education is much enhanced by including feedback from patients.

Education linked research: a strategy for development
Hilarie Bateman and Nigel Oswald
GPs need help, support and education in order to carry out research. A university department plans to provide them.

Pilot testing of a structured trainer's report for summative assessment in general practice
Neil Johnson, John Hasler, John Toby and Janet Grant
A proposed trainer's report form is broadly acceptable, feasible and reliable. Will it stand up to wider usage?

How do new principals view their vocational training?
Mark Ashworth and David Armstrong
Most new principals appear to have enjoyed their training but it did not prepare them for many of th tasks and stresses of being a partner.

A survey of continuing education amongst general practitioners and employed staff of Northumberland practices
Michael Dodd
Practice-based education for GPs is quite well established but little is on offer for practice staff.

TEACHING EXCHANGE

NEWS AND VIEWS

ASSOCIATION OF COURSE ORGANIZERS

TRAINERS' WORKSHOP

FROM MY DIARY........

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

ON EDUCATION

BOOKS