Worcester Vocational Training Scheme runs for three terms of eight
weeks on Thursday afternoons. The Terms start in September January
and in May.
The people on the course determine the format and content of the
Thursday afternoons. Teaching is directed at General Practice but,
for people doing hospital jobs, cases that they have been dealing
with on the wards are used as teaching material. Each term has a
theme which determines some of the content and this changes each
term through the broad areas of interest of General Practice namely:
problem solving, communication (listening and explaining), the
practice organisation, ethical and moral issues and the doctor's own
personal development.
By changing the theme of each term over three years we cover all the
important aspects of General Practice and repetition is kept to a
minimum.
We believe that General Practice is a Speciality in its own right,
and part of being a good GP is having a professional qualification.
It is now compulsory to do the exam, and preparation for the nMRCGP
is an integral part of our course.
Social events are important throughout the three years. The course
participants determine the nature of these and in the past they have
shown remarkable diversity. There is a good supportive atmosphere on
the course and anyone joining can expect that other members and the
Course Organisers will be helping them develop the necessary skills
to become effective GPs.
VTS COURSE CONTENT
- Clinical skills based on problem solving
- Organisational aspects of General Practice
- Communication
- Professional values
- The Doctor as a person
Clinical skills based on problem solving
- Managing everyday diseases and emergencies by making sound clinical and managerial decisions
- Thinking clearly - analysing information and evidence and coming to considered judgments
- Identifying options and choosing between those options
- Learning to be flexible and to cope with uncertainty
- Organisational aspects of General Practice
Organisational aspects of General Practice
- Understanding current GP issues
- Understanding the role of other primary health care team members
- Management and business of GP - including PCTs
- How social conditions and cultural factors affect a patient's disease and how it presents
- Applying preventative measures, health education and health promotion
- Communicating well: verbally and non-verbally
- Expressing ideas with lucidity and clarity
- Showing compassion, empathy and sensitivity
- Understanding and using consultation models
- Being aware of the importance of our own values and attitudes
- Basing clinical behaviour on rational evidence, forming opinions that are not prejudiced
- Recognising the patient's autonomy and the significance of patient-centred and doctor-centred working styles
- Expressing views which are not dogmatic or arrogant
- Tolerating the views of others: patients, their relatives, and colleagues
- Considering moral, ethical and medico-legal issues
- Learning to self-appraise
- Knowing your limitations and performing safely, knowing when it is necessary to seek help or refer
- Being receptive to new ideas and approaches; understanding change and how to manage it
- Staying positive about your work, surviving personal and professional stress by using strategies to prevent burn out