Funding of vocational training programmes for general practice/family medicine in Europe

Eur J Gen Pract. 2008;14(2):83-8. doi: 10.1080/13814780802095576.

Abstract

Background/objective: As financial arrangements for vocational training (VT) in general practice/family medicine seemed to differ among European countries, the VT committee of EURACT compiled an overview to permit comparison.

Methods: A questionnaire with open and closed questions was e-mailed in March 2006 to representatives of the 34 different countries on the EURACT Council.

Results: Thirty completed questionnaires were returned (88% response rate). The salary of the GP trainee during clinical training in GP/FM is paid by the state on its own or with others in 19 countries (63%), and is the same during community and hospital rotations in 22 countries (73%). The GP trainer gets extra payment for supervision and teaching in only 14 countries (47%). Structured VT programmes are fully or partly financed by the state in 17 countries (57%), with trainees being paid for working hours spent in seminars/coursework in 19 countries (63%). Funding was cited as the commonest challenge and strength regarding VT programmes (cited 20 and 11 times, respectively).

Conclusion: Recommendations made regarding the provision of vocational training across Europe include a structured curriculum supported by adequate funding, the professional recognition of GP trainers, which includes a fair and appropriate salary, and equity of salary for GP trainees.

MeSH terms

  • Europa
  • Faculty, Medical / statistics & numerical data
  • Family Practice / education*
  • Family Practice / statistics & numerical data
  • Financing, Government / economics
  • Financing, Government / statistics & numerical data
  • Health Care Surveys
  • Humans
  • Insurance, Health / economics
  • Insurance, Health / statistics & numerical data
  • Internship and Residency / economics*
  • Internship and Residency / statistics & numerical data
  • Salaries and Fringe Benefits / statistics & numerical data
  • Training Support / statistics & numerical data*
  • Universities / economics
  • Universities / statistics & numerical data