Evaluation of trainees' stay in general practice by the young physicians and their tutors

In 1991 a new reform for postgraduate trainees was introduced in Denmark. Since the reform all young doctors-as a compulsory part of their vocational training-have had to work for six months as general practice trainees, no matter their wishes for future specialization. The reform furthermore led to the general practice trainees being considerably younger than previously-the average length of postgraduate experience before working as a trainee declined from six to seven years to one to two years. In this light an investigation was conducted from August 1992 to July 1993. Seven hundred and fifty-eight questionnaires were sent to general practice trainees and their tutors in Denmark. Ninety-five percent of the questionnaires were returned, thus it was possible to evaluate the new compulsory training in general practice. In conclusion, the main part of the trainees had a positive assessment of the work conditions in general practice. However, a large part of the trainees indicated that their tutor doctors had set aside too short a time for supervision.