Education: GP trainer - Becoming a GP trainer.(general practitioner)

Becoming a training practice will often improve standards in the surgery, writes Dr Linda Miller.

A GP trainer supervises a trainee during their time in practice. This includes inducting the trainee, debriefing after consultations and tutorials.

The trainee will spend time with other members of the practice team but the trainer will have the overall responsibility for ensuring that the trainee gains the broad experience necessary to become a GP and to pass the MRCGP exam.

Weekly half-day release sessions organised by the local programme directors cover other aspects of the curriculum. These may follow a pre-planned programme of group work and external speakers or may evolve in a learner-centred manner.1

Pastoral role

As well as providing educational support, the trainer should be able to support the trainee when unexpected events arise in a trainee's personal life.

Bereavement or becoming a parent for the first time may well …