Educational needs of Russian general practitioners: survey results

Introduction. The health of the population largely depends on the availability for a general practitioner (GP) with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to provide high-quality primary health care. Purpose: to study the educational needs, preferred forms, and methods in training Russian GP. Materials and methods. The study was conducted at the Departments of General Medical Practice of the Institute of Vocational Education of Sechenov University, Family Medicine of Belgorod State University, Polyclinic Therapy, Postgraduate Training and Nursing of Kemerovo State Medical University, General Medical Practice and Polyclinic Therapy of the Russian Medical Academy of Continuing Professional Education. The study used sociological, statistical and analytical research methods. The final analysis included four hundred two questionnaires for GP. Results. The disciplines (modules) of the specialty of the therapeutic profile have the greatest practical significance for Russian GP: internal medicine, laboratory and instrumental diagnostics, emergency medical care and oncology. In relation to all disciplines (modules), the need to improve the level of theoretical and practical training was identified. Its main directions are determined. Full-time and part-time forms of education are the most acceptable modes. Most prefer traditional teaching methods. The most convenient is training for 144 hours or short-term thematic educational programs. Research limitations. The limitations of the study are the urban working conditions of the GPs who took part in the survey, as well as subjective assessment, which was the subject of study and analysis. Conclusion. Improving the quality of training in GP will contribute to increasing the satisfaction and motivation of doctors, as well as improving the quality of primary health care and the health in the country’s population.