GP Registrars' Comments on the DRC

The Swindon/Bath GPRs were invited to discuss their views on the Day Release Course at the end of a recent term.

Good Stuff

Speakers

It was felt by the group that in general the quality of the speakers was good with interesting topics and good presentation.
Organisation
Things happen pretty much on time, there was always the lecturer that had been booked.
Refreshments were always available.
No problems with room availability.
In general the course appeared well organised.
Useful to have the website with topic lists, e-mails re further reading.
Having a say
People were pleased to be able to have an input into how the course is run and what topics are chosen.

Course Organisers

These heterogeneous bunch of degenerates were found to be both approachable and caring, they actually seemed interested in what we had to say and how things were going and how they could help. Very unusual for doctors and very welcomed, it was the first time for many Registrars during their career that colleagues actually took an interest.

Locations

It was great to be able to go to locations like Stanton Manor and Urchfont Manor. People enjoyed the residential course; it gave them time to meet one another.

Teaching

People particularly found benefit from the interactive and video session. Group work was good and allowed flexibility in the topics covered.

Hot topics

Most people enjoyed these sessions. They gave a gentle start to the day.

Other good things

Cakes, tea, coffee etc. Support from colleague within the group. Soapbox for some people/not for others.

Things that could be improved (hard to believe!)

Sometime start times were delayed, not always due to the Registrars

Lunch breaks were felt to be almost too long on occasions, but John and I felt it gave us enough time to play squash, for others the pub beckoned.

There were pleas from the group to not have a treasure hunt, some Registrars appearing almost suicidal at the thought of another. If there was to be one, then find the best pint would be a reasonable alternative.

Also a "managing medical emergencies" session, similar to the one in Savernak forest (injured parachutist etc) was felt to be another good option.

Some people felt the hot topics could be improved as sometimes there appeared to be a lack of direction/interest. Also discussion on how we could encourage people to talk. There was some discussion that this may be achieved by reducing the ones that talk quite a lot. Also perhaps asking other people who were quieter to speak or working in groups. None of these had much favour when put to the vote and most people were happy to stay with the status quo. [As a result of this feedback, we've substantially changed the format of the "hot topics" session - it's now one of the most popular parts of the DRC day.]

After some discussion it was felt it might be worth setting a pair of Registrars the goal of critically appraising a paper highlighted the previous week and presenting it the following week. Also it was thought that, for new Registrars, suggesting reading just one article a week would be less daunting. [Webmaster's note: all of this is now happening.]

Some group session could have been more structured and people felt it would be good to perhaps do 30mins problem case analysis, 30 mins MRCGP question and then 1 hour on the suggested topic. However, people also liked the informality of the group work.

It was also suggested that practicing MRCGP questions may be good for the whole group.

Collated by Angus Jefferies

Last update: 29 August 2007