Current Projects

Applying Models of Teaching in General Practice (2011-2012)
Investigators: Caroline Laurence, Sophie Hennessy

Funded by GPET – Education Integration Project (EIP) Grant

This study builds on the research on the costs and benefits of different theoretical models for teaching in private general practice by evaluating how these models are applied in real-world GP settings. This study aims to identify barriers and enablers of implementing teaching models to inform the development of guidelines for the implementation of these models into practices.  Using a case study design, data will be collected on the organisation of teaching from six teaching practices representing five different teaching models.

i2i Study: An integrated quality improvement program for the general practice consultation review process (2011-2012)
Investigators: Neil Spike, Caroline Laurence, Judith Culliver, Jessica Siu

Funded by GPET Education Integration Project (EIP) Grant

The process of consultation review allows the GP Supervisor to determine if the learner has gained essential knowledge and skills as they progress to be a competent GP.  However, there is little research on the extent to which GP Supervisors undertake consultation reviews and what is the most appropriate and effective method for consultation review are being taught to supervisors by RTPs.  The i2i Study addresses these gaps in the literature by examining the professional development activities provided to GP Supervisors on consultation review, and the use of consultation review in the practice. Using a qualitative research approach, the Directors of Training of all RTPs in Australia are recruited to participate in the current study. The study is being undertaken by VMA and managed by AOGP. 

A cost analysis for teaching in urban and rural general practice (2011)

Investigators: Caroline Laurence, Maryanne Coombs, Linda Black and Janice Gill

Funded by AOGP and WAGPET

This study builds on the research on the costs and benefits of teaching in private general practice.  This study combines data from South Australian and Western Australian teaching practice to determine if there are differences in the costs and benefits of teaching in an urban setting versus a rural setting.

Traits in training for rural general practitioners (TnT) (2011-2013)

Investigators: Diann Eley, Caroline Laurence, David Wilkinson, Lucie Walters, Claude Cloninger, Janet Young, Scott Kitchener, Linda Black, Maryanne Coombs

Funded by ARC Linkage Grant

The primary aim of this research is to establish a better understanding of the individual attributes of temperament and character that are conducive to registrars choosing a rural training pathway and subsequently practising medicine in a rural location.  Identifying and understanding the dominant traits and personal temperament and character profiles of doctors in rural medicine will add to our knowledge of what makes rural doctors “tick‟ and enable Regional Training Providers (RTPs) who provide general practice training, to better target and tailor rural medical training to meet their needs.

An exploration of initial and ongoing training available to rural GP proceduralists (2011)

Investigators: Ben Abbott, Taryn Elliott

Funded by AOGP

To date, there has not been any previous research to map the different pathways to initial training and ongoing support for rural GP proceduralists. The aim of this research is to audit this process across GP proceduralists within SA, and to identify from their perspectives the benefits and limitations of the current models of training.  Using a qualitative approach all rural GP proceduralist in SA will be approached to be interviewed about their training and ideas for ongoing support.