Donegal Specialist Training Programme in General Practice
PROSPECTUS 2012
Directions: See a map of the area
Dr Paul Stewart, Director, Donegal Specialist Training Programme in General Practice, GP Unit, Education Centre, St Conal's Hospital, Letterkenny, Co Donegal
Email: GPTraining.Donegal@hse.ie
Assistant Directors: Dr Kevin Quinn, Dr Karena Hanley, Dr John Sheeran, Dr Sarah Maguire
Administration: Kathleen Langan
Tel: 074 918 8897, Fax: 074 9127852
OPEN EVENING
Saturday, 10 December 2011. Time: 12.00pm-2.00pm
INTERVIEW DATE:
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
OVERVIEW
The Donegal Scheme started in July 1981 and is one of the oldest schemes. It is based in Letterkenny and has recently been extended to a four-year programme, which allows for a special interest in rural general practice. We have an intake of six trainees per year. The first two years of the four-year programme are spent as SHOs attached to Letterkenny General. The third and fourth years are spent as a GP registrar attached to training practices, with the last two months involving an exchange usually with an Australian Training Scheme.
HOSPITAL POSTS
All hospital posts are based in Letterkenny General and include four months as SHOs in medicine, geriatrics, paediatrics, obstetrics, Accident and Emergency, and psychiatry. There is an excellent relationship between the consultants, programme directors and general practitioners in the catchment area. The hospital experience is wide and varied, and particularly suited to general practice training. The posts are all recognised for basic specialist training as well as the Diplomas of Psychiatry, Obstetrics, Paediatrics and Medicine of the Elderly.
TRAINING PRACTICES
There are 15 training practices attached to the scheme at present. Trainers have been carefully selected for their commitment, enthusiasm and ability to teach, as well as having practices that are up-to-date and willing to embrace change through active reflection. Trainees spend two six-month-attachments to training practices and are encouraged to self-select the practices within their own group. The third period of 10 months involves a flexible attachment to a single-handed rural practice. This attachment during the fourth year allows time for a personalised approach to professional development.
TEACHING
Consultants provide teaching relevant to general practice during hospital attachments. GP trainers run weekly tutorials with their registrars as well as daily discussion on cases of interest or potential learning. There is a comprehensive half-day weekly release course for First and Second Year trainees and a full-day weekly course for Third and Fourth Years. This is organised by the programme directors in the Education Centre, Letterkenny which has an excellent library. Teaching is done through small group work, concentrating on the skills needed for effective and reflective practice within the consultation. The discussion of dilemmas posed by patients is extremely effective in developing problem-solving skills in the context of an ethical framework.
THE FOURTH YEAR
In keeping with our ethos of promoting excellence in general practice as well as catering for individual needs, the fourth year is flexible. We encourage registrars to undertake a diploma and gain experience in Public Health Medicine, and provide more time to enjoy general practice. Fourth Year registrars are also encouraged to gain OPD experience in two or three of the following areas: minor surgery, dermatology, ophthalmology, ENT, rheumatology and STIs.
CONCLUSION
I hope you find our programme attractive and decide to give us a high preference. We are an intimate and sociable group, and enjoy learning together. Donegal is a beautiful place to spend a few years and over fifty per cent of our graduates continue to work in the county. The weather isn't always pleasant but the people more than make up for it. If you would like further information, please call one of the trainees in Letterkenny General Hospital: 074-9125888 or talk to our programme administrator, Ms. Kathleen Langan: 074-9188897.
Paul Stewart, Programme Director