The well-established European Journal of Medical Research has joined BioMed Central's portfolio of journals in January 2012, converting to the open access publishing model. Since its launch in 1995 the journal has been a print-only publication; from now on, it continues as an open access, online-only journal. The conversion to open access opens up the potential for the journal to become a leadi...

The introduction of Modernising Medical Careers (MMC) and the regulatory framework being implemented by the new Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB) will bring about major changes for all doctors in training, not least in general practice (GP). As there has been longstanding criticism of elements of the GP training programme, which has been set in regulation for the past 25...

The concept of First5 recognises the challenges faced by GPs at the end of training and comprises five pillars, which could help to support new GPs through the first 5 years of independent practice. The world of general practice is constantly changing and it is important that new GPs can be supported to develop the confidence and skills required to meet the demands of the new healthcare world.

BACKGROUND General practitioners (GPs) are expected to be responsive to patients' expectations, but patients and doctors may have different views on what constitutes good general practice care. AIM To elicit areas of controversy as well as areas of mutual agreement between the opinions of patients and GPs with regard to good general practice care. METHOD A questionnaire, distributed to 850 ...

OBJECTIVES To identify and assess the barriers that health authorities face as they manage quality improvements in general practice in the context of the NHS reforms. DESIGN Qualitative case study. SETTING Three UK health authorities: a rural health authority in the south west, a deprived inner city health authority in the north east, and an affluent suburban health authority in the south e...

The contribution of the hospital component of vocational training to the needs of the future general practitioner was investigated by undertaking semi-structured interviews with a representative sample of doctors involved. The findings indicated that, in general, training was failing to address objectives perceived to be important for general practice by the study sample. Problems related to th...