What does a trainee see?

The experience of a trainee was documented in detail for a complete training year and the data were stored and analysed using a suite of purpose-written computer programs. The results indicate that the experience of the trainee was extremely similar to that of the trainer and that continuity of care must be considered in planning a training programme. The findings also emphasize that general practice deals with a wide range of problems many of which occur infrequently and therefore may not be adequately covered during the training year.