TCD/HSE Specialist Training Programme in General Practice
PROSPECTUS 2010
Contact Details
Dept of Public Health & Primary Care, Trinity College Centre for Health Sciences, Adelaide & Meath Hospital, Tallaght, Dublin 24
Tel: 01 896 2760
Email: gp.training@tcd.ie
Administration: Audrey Murray
Directions: See a map of the area
OPEN DAY
Thursday, 19th November at 7.00pm - 9.00pm
HISTORY
The TCD/HSE Specialist Training Programme in General Practice (originally the Eastern Regional General Practice Training Programme) was set up under the auspices of the Irish Institute of General Practice in 1975 and the training scheme began in July 1975. The scheme owes its existence to the trojan endeavours at this time of Dr Manné Berber, Dr Michael Flynn and Dr John Goggin. Dr Berber became the first Director in 1978/1988.
Initially the annual intake of trainees was four and this gradually increased to an intake of ten in 1981. Since 2004 there is an annual intake of 12 trainees per annum. A release course for trainees and a trainers workshop both commenced in 1978. The Institute of General Practice ceased to exist in 1985 and from then the Eastern Regional General Practice Training Programme Steering Committee was essentially a Free-Standing Committee.
Dr Owen Clarke ably directed the Scheme from 1989 until 1996, when the present Director, Professor Fergus O'Kelly, succeeded him. Soon after this the Scheme was absorbed into the Health Board structure.
STRUCTURE
The TCD/HSE Specialist Training Programme in General Practice Steering Committee holds overall responsibility. The Committee determines policies, makes appointments and ensures liaison is maintained between the many elements of the scheme.
A course director and five assistant directors arrange the educational programme and the general organisation and administration. Secretarial support is provided by the staff of the Primary Care Unit of the HSE, South Western Area, Dublin Mid Leinster.
The membership of the TCD/HSE Specialist Training Programme in General Practice Committee is comprised of representative of:
- Irish College of General Practitioners.
- University Departments of General Practice.
- Irish Medical Organisation.
- Postgraduate Medical & Dental Board.
- HSE, South Western Area.
- Public Health Medicine.
- Hospital Consultant Representative (each of the major specialities are represented).
- Trainer's Representative.
- Lay Representative.
- Trainee's Representative (from Hospital Phase and GP Registrar phase of training).
- Director and Assistant Directors.
The TCD/HSE Specialist Training Programme in General Practice until recently consisted of the three year course. The first two years were spent in relevant hospital posts and the third year in general practice under the supervision of general practitioner trainer. Trainees who commenced training from 1st July 2002 undertake a four year training programme, the additional year being spent in general practice.
HOSPITAL POSTS
At present, rotations of four month posts both first and second year. As can be observed from the table below, trainees gain a experience across the board:
Designated Hospital Posts
A&E, Adelaide/Meath Hospital, 4 Months, 1st Year
A&E, St Vincent's Hospital, 4 Months, 1st Year
A&E, Beaumont Hospital, 4 Months, 1st Year
A&E, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, 4 Months, 1st Year
Medicine of Elderly, St James's Hospital, 4 Months, 1st Year
Medicine of Elderly, St Vincent's Hospital, 4 Months, 1st Year
Medicine of Elderly, Adelaide/Meath Hospital, 4 Months, 1st Year
Medicine of Elderly, Beaumont Hospital, 4 Months, 1st Year
General Medicine, Loughlinstown Hospital, 4 Months, 1st Year
General Medicine, Mater Hospital, 4 Months, 1st Year
Respiratory Medicine, Peamount Hospital, 4 Months, 1st Year
Psychiatry, St Patrick's Hospital, 4 Months, 1st Year
Obstetrics/Gynae, Rotunda Hospital, 4 Months, 2nd Year
Obstetrics/Gynae, Coombe Hospital, 4 Months, 2nd Year
Obstetrics/Gynae, National Maternity Hospital, 4 Months, 2nd Year
Gynae, Adelaide/Meath Hospital, 4 Months, 2nd Year
Paediatrics, National Children's Hospital, 4 Months, 2nd Year
Paediatrics, Temple St Hospital, 4 Months, 2nd Year
Paediatrics, Our Lady's Hospital, 4 Months, 2nd Year
Paediatrics, National Children's Hospital, 4 Months, 2nd Year
Psychiatry, St Loman's Hospital, Tallaght, 4 Months, 2nd Year
Psychiatry, St Loman's Hospital, Tallaght, 4 Months, 2nd Year
Psychiatry, St Patrick's Hospital, 4 Months, 2nd Year
Palliative Care, Hospice, Harolds Cross, 4 Months, 2nd Year
GENERAL PRACTICE POSTS
There are at present 29 general practice trainers. From 2008, we will have 24 registrars and 24 practices will be selected for training. A registrar is appointed to a practice, under the supervision of a trainer, for a one year. The practices include group, partnership and single-handed practices located in urban and rural areas. Video-taping is an intrinsic part of the learning process. Additional trainers will be recruited as required from time to time. New trainers are recruited as the need arises and will be in place to accommodate the training needs involved in providing a four-year training programme.
General Practitioner Teachers
The general practitioner teachers and their practice are an indispensable resource to the scheme, providing as they do, opportunities for 1st and 2nd year trainees to visit practices in addition to their principal function as teaching practices for our 3rd and 4th year trainees. Since 1st July 2005, registrars are spending two years in teaching practice posts.
Allocation of Trainees to Hospital & General Practice Posts
All trainees entering this programme must accept that they may be assigned to any of the scheme's hospitals or training practice posts.
THE RELEASE COURSE
A release course is provided during the academic year throughout the four year programme. First year, second year, third year and fourth year trainees meet as separate groups with their own group leader. Combined meetings of all years are arranged from time to time. The release course for the first and second year trainees is on afternoons only, while the third and fourth year trainees enjoy a full day release course. The Thursday afternoon sessions commence with a presentation by one of two of the trainees on a "Clinical Dilemma" that they have experienced in the hospital or practice within recent times.
LEARNING PROCESS
Learning on the release course generally occurs through small group work. To enable this to be effective each group member must be prepared to think and act in the interest of the group as a whole in preference to their own interest. Implicitly, one's earnest and honest contribution of self to the group is of paramount importance to effective functioning.
CLINICAL ATTACHMENTS
Clinical attachments may be arranged in those specialty's in which trainees have been unable to gain satisfactory experience. Trainees are encouraged to identify their own needs in this matter. Access to Dermatology, ENT, Family Psychiatry, Rheumatology and Eye Diseases are some examples of clinical attachments that would be useful to all trainees. They should avail of opportunities presented to them when working in a general hospital.
RESEARCH
All trainees are required to complete a personal research project in their GP phase of training. Research projects in the first and second years are encouraged. Group projects have also proven popular for third year trainees. The 4th year allows time for the GP registrar to complete a module in public health medicine and work on a substantial practice-based research project.
TEACHING FOR TRAINERS
A Trainers' Workshop takes place each month. Trainers also attend a "Trainers Weekend" in September and must attend a National Trainers Course every three years. Trainers when recruited, must attend a "New Trainers' Course".
ASSESSMENT
All parts of the Programme are regularly assessed. This ensures that all the activities of teaching and learning within the Programme remain relevant to its aims and objectives.
SELECTION OF TRAINEES
It is the policy of the Committee that not only should its method of short-listing be fair, but that it should be seen to be fair. Special consideration is given to applicants who:
- Have demonstrated an interest in general practice during their undergraduate and postgraduate years.
- Have academic distinctions.
The short-listing Committee is appointed by the TCD/HSE Specialist Training Programme in General Practice. The final Interviewing Committee is also appointed by the Steering Committee and included in its membership are representatives form the Committee and the Hospitals involved in the Programme.