Abstract
A national Delphi study: experiences of general practitioner (GP) trainees in the Republic of Ireland undertaking online small group learning as part of the GP Training Programme during COVID-19
Part of Special Series: WONCA World Rural Health Conference Abstracts 2022
AUTHORS
Xinyi Cherry Cheung1 GP trainee
Mary Ellen Bohane2 GP trainee
Louise Gaffney Wilkinson3 GP Registrar *
Stephanie Dowling4 Programme Director
Darach Brennan5 Programme Director
Gillian Doran6 Librarian
CORRESPONDENCE
*Dr Louise Gaffney Wilkinson
AFFILIATIONS
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ICGP South East GP Training Scheme, Waterford, Ireland
6 Irish College of General Practitioners, Dublin, Ireland
PUBLISHED
10 January 2023 Volume 23 Issue 1
HISTORY
RECEIVED: 20 September 2022
ACCEPTED: 20 September 2022
CITATION
Cheung X, Bohane M, Gaffney Wilkinson L, Dowling S, Brennan D, Doran G. A national Delphi study: experiences of general practitioner (GP) trainees in the Republic of Ireland undertaking online small group learning as part of the GP Training Programme during COVID-19. Rural and Remote Health 2023; 23: 8111. https://doi.org/10.22605/RRH8111
AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence
abstract:
Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, GP training day release was redirected from face-to-face to an online setting. With this study, our aim was to assess trainee experiences of online small group learning and to make recommendations with regards to future GP training.
Methods: A qualitative study using the Delphi survey technique, approved by the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) Ethics Committee. A series of three sequential online questionnaires were sent to our trainee cohort in all 14 training schemes in Ireland. The first questionnaire explored GP trainee experiences and key themes were generated. Subsequent questionnaires were developed using these themes, with second and third round questionnaires establishing consensus on these experiences.
Results: In total, 64 GP trainees responded. Each training scheme was represented. Response rates for round 1 and 2 were 76% and 56% respectively, with round 3 currently underway. Trainees felt that online teaching was convenient, reduced commuting costs, and provided peer support. They also reported loss in unstructured discussion, practical teaching sessions and relationship building. Seven key themes were generated: future format of GP training; accessibility and flexibility; teaching experience; provision of GP training; support and collegiality; educational experience; and technical problems. There is a consensus that some online teaching should be retained for the future.
Discussion: Online teaching provided a continuation in training that was more convenient and accessible but affected social interactions and relationship building amongst trainees. Future online sessions could be utilised in a hybrid model of teaching going forward.