1. Where have all the GPs gone?
Reflections from a workshop at 15th National Multi-Specialty Conference
Helen Mead

2. The workshop
The workshop opened with a brief description of where we are now (see The background and The college)
An exercise was tabled (The Exercise)
A discussion occurred very loosely guided by the exercise but actually looking at the problem in a wider way

3. The background
Previously there was a choice of organisations for GP Educators
Association of Course Organisers (ACO became UKAPD) for TPDs
National Association of Primary Care Educators (NAPCE) favoured by appraisers
United Kingdom Conference of Postgraduate Educational Advisers (UKCEA)
All of these now defunct

4. The College
RCGP formed a Medical Educators Group but very wide remit from undergraduate educators upwards
Held separate 1 day conference prior to RCGP conference
Then subsumed into last day of RCGP
Now has become a “stream” for 1 day of a 2.5 day conference

5. The exercise
You are an advertising company and have been tasked with attracting GP Educators to become members of NACT.
What do you need to know about GP TPDs in order to target them?
 What do you think are the Unique Selling Points (USP) of NACT and what information do you think GP Educators would need?   
 Design a campaign to attract GP educators including, but not limited to:
Slogan or tag line
Social media campaign
Design of leaflets
Distribution strategy for marketing materials

6. The discussion Why don’t GPs come to NACT?
Perceived as secondary care focused
Not aware of it as an organisation
Looking for something more familiar (craft based, small group based, opportunities to share triumphs & frustrations)

7. Why do we need a “national” meeting?
Stop duplicating effort & reinventing the wheel
Share good practice
Share experiences – good & bad
Time & space for critical reflection on their practice set in a wider context
Can have a collective voice representing their group and lobbying for change

8. “I feel a survey coming on….”
Do we really know what they want?
Do we understand the barriers?
How would we create a demand?
Needs to be relevant
Be clear about the offer
Be clear about the cost

9. So what is the problem…? Life is busy!
Need to encourage trainees to think of a career in education
Not yet accepting the move to portfolio careers
Haven’t recognised the similarities between educational and clinical communication skills
Need to develop the role of clinical leader in medical education
Lack of clear career structure for educators
Life is busy!

10. ….and the answer?