GP education survey results

A summary of survey results – July 2008

Introduction

The GP Educational Events Survey was distributed to GPs in Lambeth and Southwark PCTs via PCT distribution channels.  The survey was carried out using an online survey tool.

The purpose of the survey was to establish if local GPs wanted GSTT to  run more clinical educational sessions and, if so, to understand GP preferences for such events.

The survey ran for 1 month over May/June 2008 and 55 GPs responded.  Respondents were from the following PCT localities/clusters:

  • 37% Lambeth (South West)
  • 24% Southwark (Borough & Walworth)
  • 19% Southwark (Bermondsey and Rotherhithe)
  • 15% Lambeth (North)
  • 5%  Lambeth (South East)

There were no responses from the Dulwich and Peckham and Camberwell areas which was to be expected.
 

Results

1. GPs are very interested in GSTT running educational events

96% of respondents said they would be interested in the proposed series of educational events for GPs and primary care colleagues facilitated by Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. 

2. The preferred length of session is dependant on the subject with no preference between one hour sessions and half day sessions

25% would prefer educational events in a one-hour seminar/lecture style session whilst 15% preferred half-day workshops.  60% per cent had no particular preference between one-hour seminars or half-day workshops, stating the format should be dependant on the subject.  For one-hour sessions, there were comments about the travel time required. 

There is strong a preference for unplanned discussion being a key part of sessions.

Suggestions were also made around providing sessions via a video or audio link.

3. Lunchtimes or evenings are the preferred time but there is no strong preference towards either time

22% said they would prefer either a lunchtime or evening.  30% said they would prefer evenings whilst 28% said lunchtimes would be preferable. 

Preferences were based on factors such as having to pay congestion charges and difficulty parking.

4. Thursdays and Tuesdays are the most convenient days for the majority of GPs to attend educational sessions

Wednesdays were sometimes convenient; Mondays and Fridays were generally not convenient.  There was a slight variation by locality on the days of the week preferred with the SW Lambeth area preferring Tuesdays and others preferring Thursdays.

5. Venues in community settings were the preferred option

76% said that their preferred venue would be a community venue in their locality.  St Thomas' Hospital was the next preferred venue while Guy's Hospital was the least preferred by respondents.  The response here was very much dependant on the locality area.

6. A wide range of topics and excellent suggestions on other types of session

Specialities mentioned by the greatest number of people were:

• Orthopaedics
• ENT
• Dermatology
• Ophthalmology
• Respiratory/COPD
• Paediatrics
• Diabetes
• Women's Health

The range of suggestions for this question was excellent.  In addition to seminar/lecture and discussion sessions on developments in specific areas of healthcare, comments were also made on the reintroducing the 'Meet the Department' updates and providing interactive sessions with consultants – such as case discussions or clinic visits – so GPs could tell their patients what to expect with their hospital visit. 

Comments were also made on the possibility of having sessions focusing on the management and examination of some patients, referral pathways, areas where consultants felt that referrals were inappropriate and generally around improving the communication between the hospital and GPs.

Other specialities mentioned, although this is not exhaustive, include:
 
• Allergy
• Rheumatology
• Cardiology
• Urology
• Infectious diseases
• Mental Health
• Oncology
• Asthmas