The preregistration houseman in general practice.

During 1979-80 an experimental preregistration house physician post in general practice was conducted at Aldermoor Health Centre in Southampton in rotation with medical posts at Southampton General Hospital. Ten house physicians took part in the experiment that lasted for 19 months and each doctor spent two months in general practice. The house physicians settled quickly into general practice and found the experience both enjoyable and worth while. The hospital consultants, general practitioners, and the house physicians themselves thought that this was a valuable extension to preregistration education. The experiment raised several questions, some of which were specific to the type of rotation organised and others that were more fundamental to the whole concept of the preregistration house physician in general practice. If the experiment is to be repeated a longer period in general practice is strongly recommended. A full year rotation is suggested with four months each of surgery, medicine, and general practice.