Dowling Stephanie, Last Jason, Finnegan Henry, Daly Pat, Bourke John, Hanrahan Conor, Harrold Pat, McCombe Geoff, Cullen Walter
ICGP Assistant National Academic Director of CME, Irish College of General Practitioners, Dublin, Ireland
Research Student, Health Sciences Centre, University College Dublin School of Medicine, Dublin, Ireland.
BJGP Open. 2019 Oct 29;3(4). doi: 10.3399/bjgpopen19X101673.
The pressures of general practice contribute to high levels of stress, low morale, and burnout in some GPs. In addition, rurally-based doctors may experience significant professional isolation. Participation in continuing medical education (CME) appears to reduce stress, and may improve the retention of rural GPs.
As part of a larger study devised to examine the effectiveness of regular participation in CME small group learning (SGL) on rurally-based Irish GPs, this study explored whether CME-SGL had any impact on GP stress, morale, and professional isolation.
DESIGN & SETTING: This was a qualitative study involving four CME-SGL groups based in rural Ireland.
Semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted in established CME-SGL groups in four different rural geographical locations. Interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed thematically.
All members of these CME-SGL groups ( = 43) consented to interview. These GPs reported that regular meetings with an established group of trusted colleagues who are 'in the same boat' provided a 'safe space' for discussion of, and reflection on, both clinical concerns and personal worries. This interaction in a supportive, non-threatening atmosphere helped to relieve stress, lift morale, and boost self-confidence. The social aspect of CME-SGL sustained these rural GPs, and served to alleviate their sense of professional isolation.
Delivery of CME through locally-based SGL provides as an important means of supporting GPs working in rural areas. The non-educational benefits of CME-SGL, as described by these Irish GPs, are of relevance for rural doctors in other countries.
全科医疗的压力导致一些全科医生压力水平高、士气低落和职业倦怠。此外，在农村工作的医生可能会经历严重的职业孤立。参与继续医学教育（CME）似乎可以减轻压力，并可能提高农村全科医生的留用率。
作为一项更大规模研究的一部分，该研究旨在检验定期参加CME小组学习（SGL）对爱尔兰农村全科医生的有效性，本研究探讨了CME-SGL是否对全科医生的压力、士气和职业孤立有任何影响。
这是一项定性研究，涉及爱尔兰农村的四个CME-SGL小组。
在四个不同农村地理位置的既定CME-SGL小组中进行了半结构化焦点小组访谈。访谈进行了录音，逐字转录，并进行了主题分析。
这些CME-SGL小组的所有成员（n = 43）都同意接受访谈。这些全科医生报告说，与一群“同病相怜”、值得信赖的同事定期会面，为讨论和反思临床问题及个人担忧提供了一个“安全空间”。在支持性、无威胁的氛围中的这种互动有助于减轻压力、提升士气和增强自信。CME-SGL的社交方面维持了这些农村全科医生的状态，并有助于减轻他们的职业孤立感。
通过本地SGL提供CME是支持农村地区工作的全科医生的重要手段。这些爱尔兰全科医生所描述的CME-SGL的非教育益处对其他国家的农村医生也具有相关性。
