The GMC has called for ‘major’ improvements to medical education, including a ‘significant increase’ in supervisors and trainers.
In a new statement setting out a ‘major programme’ for the future of medical education, the regulator said it will work with UK governments to increase support and resources for trainers.
Another ambition, which focused on undergraduate medical education, called on the Government to set out how extra medical school places will be allocated.
The GMC said it welcomes expansion of medical places, such as NHS England’s ambitious plan to double the number of places to 15,000 by 2031.
However, the statement said the Government needs to clarify the allocations process ‘now’ so that places can be established ‘in a timely manner’.
This new programme of work to adapt future medical training applies to medical students and doctors, but will also apply to physician associates (PAs) once they come under GMC regulation.
On training, the regulator said educators need ‘protected time’ as well as ‘resources and adequate support’.
The statement added: ‘Part of achieving this will involve promoting innovation, including using technology and learning from the pandemic to explore alternative approaches that can utilise educators’ skills more effectively.
‘However, it will also require a significant increase in the supply of multidisciplinary educators to meet the expected demand.’
To meet this ambition, the GMC called on education bodies, royal colleges and employers to ‘consider how to develop and support educators’.
As well as an increase in medical school places, NHSE’s long-term workforce plan also committed to increasing GP training places by 50% by 2031.
But GPs expressed concern about trainer capacity within general practice – both the number and availability of trainers, as well as a lack of physical training space within practices.
Last year, a GMC survey revealed that GP trainers are more at risk of burnout than the average for all specialties.
GMC vision for the future of medical education and training
Three key areas to address:
- creating more, increasingly diverse, better supported educators, supervisors, trainers and mentors;
- responding to wider national ambitions for increases in medical school capacity and innovation, whilst maintaining standards;
- supporting career development and lifelong learning for all doctors.
Source: GMC
Earlier this year, the University of Portsmouth announced a new four-year undergraduate medical programme which aims to address the city’s ‘severe shortage’ of GPs.
And last May, two new medical schools which offer enhanced exposure to general practice were awarded full approval by the GMC.
READERS' COMMENTS [3]
Please note, only GPs are permitted to add comments to articles
So… Need more senior doctors who are willing to give their time and effort to this mess some still call nhs
Ill have some of what they are on delusional in a system that’s basically collapsed.There is no new money and these roles were underfunded in the first place.I couldn’t do it cause my first session would be about emigrating to some where where you are treated with more respect.
TOTL – I’m off in a few months, come join The Great Escape