Perspectives on expert generalist practice among Japanese family doctor educators: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND

Expert generalist practice (EGP) is increasingly being viewed as the defining expertise of generalist care. In Japan, several prominent family doctors consider it important and relevant in the Japanese context. However, no study has examined Japanese family doctor educators' perceptions of EGP.

AIM

To explore Japanese family doctor educators' perceptions of EGP.

DESIGN & SETTING: A qualitative study among family doctor educators in Japan.

METHOD

Focus group interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide following a short lecture on EGP. A qualitative description method was adopted and the framework method was used to conduct thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Participants were 18 family medicine doctor educators, including 11 directors and six associate directors of family medicine training programmes. The results suggested that the concept of EGP was important and applicable to primary care in Japan. Participants' perceptions on EGP pertained to the following four areas: impact of EGP, triggers for EGP, enablers for EGP, and educational strategies for EGP.

CONCLUSION

The concept of EGP may be useful in clinical practice in Japan, especially in complex patient care. A clearer framework for or description of EGP, and of non-traditional methods, such as ascetic practice and awareness of the self, were proposed as possible educational strategies.