This study describes the introduction of an online portfolio in postgraduate medical training in Family Medicine. An online questionnaire collecting quantitative and qualitative data was sent to 90 GP trainees of whom 65 responded. A phenomenological analysis method was applied to the data. The portfolio supported the trainees' ability to monitor their own clinical progress providing a better focus on learning objectives. It was helpful in the organization of the training programme and in the formation of individual personal knowledge. Reflection was stimulated, especially concerning complex and difficult clinical situations and it was used as a point of departure for trainee-trainer discussions. Trainees preferred an online portfolio to pen and paper. The degree of educational support was experienced differently. Obstacles were lack of time, lack of trainer support, inappropriate IT facilities, lack of proper introduction and lack of personal motivation.

High-quality training is a prerequisite to teaching future general practitioners. To inspire and guide all countries to implement General Practice (GP) specialist education and training and bring it to the highest standards, we aimed, within the European context, to produce a collaborative document entitled 'Educational Requirements for GP Specialty Training'. Through an iterative process existing documents from the European Academy of Teachers in GP and Family Medicine (EURACT) and the World Organization of Family Medicine Doctors (WONCA) were collated. Other reports, grey literature about specialty GP training and requirements for trainees, trainers and training institutions were included. State-of-the-art GP specialty training 'core' competences, characteristics and essential features of GP are described. General principles and specified tools for training and assessment are summarised. Recommendations on the duration and place(s) of training and selection of trainees are provided. Trainers should be accredited teachers and quality training institutions are essential. New insights, existing gaps and issues for debate have highlighted areas for further research. This document was produced in the specific context of Europe but its general principles are relevant to GP training in all countries.

KEY MESSAGE(S):· The educational needs of GP trainers and teachers vary less in the content needed but more in the level and complexity. · A comprehensive EURACT educational programme, intended to properly address the varying educational needs of GP trainers across Europe, is now available. ABSTRACT Introduction:In this background paper, we discuss the educational needs of family medicine teachers and trainers in the light of a EURACT (European Academy of Teachers in General Practice) project aimed at the development of a European framework for the professional development of general practice (GP) educators. Background: There is evidence that the ideal GP educator would benefi t from systematic training in teaching skills. Although international literature indicates that such skills training should be in supervision, feedback, assessment and educational management, it is not clear if these needs vary between trainers who teach general practice in diff erent settings and environments. Needs assessment: Recently EURACT, in collaboration with partners from fi ve EU countries and Turkey, set up a project aimed at the development of a comprehensive ' training the trainers ' programme. The project included a baseline survey of perceived educational needs and wants among both novice and expert European GP educators. The survey demonstrated that the educational needs of GP educators did not vary much in the content areas in which training was required throughout Europe but did vary in the level and depth of knowledge needed; this depended on their experience and level of expertise as teachers. Implications: Based on the information gathered and experience gained from previous EURACT courses, a Leonardo da Vinci project has developed and launched a comprehensive programme with courses at three levels of participant expertise, to address the personal learning needs of GP educators.

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General Practice/Family Medicine (GP/FM) is a key discipline within primary health care and so by extension for the whole health care system. An essential condition for effective GP/FM care is a work force that is highly qualified. As society is changing rapidly, a revision of the GP/FM definition is ongoing, in addition to a recent movement of identifying related core values. In this paper, we want to give an overview on how these new paths and perspectives are currently reflected in GP/FM teaching and training. We selected four core values that fit in with possible future visions: person-centered care, continuity of care, cooperation in care, and community-oriented care. By a narrative review, we observed that GP/FM education toward core values is often built around overarching topics. Teaching and learning take place in specific contexts, most of all through placements within communities, primary care settings, or hospital wards. Mixed teaching- and training methods are used combining knowledge, skills, and attitude. Furthermore, collaboration with other health professionals and peers is stressed, in addition to the importance of role models, a holistic focus and the involvement of patients. Since these core values are important within GP/FM and rather few studies on the educational aspects and learning tools were found we advocate encouraging each other more to share good practices, certainly the innovative ones specifically related to GP/FM.