Enablers and barriers of General Practitioner’s choice of additional skills training: a mixed-methods study

Abdul-Aziz Seidu; Emma M. Anderson; Hannah Mason; Francis A. Albert; Faith O. Alele; Paula Heggarty; Aaron Hollins; Tarun Sen Gupta; Lawrie McArthur; Richard Hays; Bunmi S. Malau-Aduli

doi:10.3389/fmed.2025.1506396

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Enablers and barriers of General Practitioner’s choice of additional skills training: a mixed-methods study

Journal article

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Enablers and barriers of General Practitioner’s choice of additional skills training: a mixed-methods study

Abdul-Aziz Seidu, Emma M. Anderson, Hannah Mason, Francis A. Albert, Faith O. Alele, Paula Heggarty, Aaron Hollins, Tarun Sen Gupta, Lawrie McArthur, Richard Hays, …

Frontiers in Medicine, Vol.12, pp.1-12

2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2025.1506396

PMCID: PMC12146275

PMID: 40491764

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Abstract

advanced skills training

Australia

General Practice

generalist

rural

remote

Introduction: Additional skills training (AST) is a prerequisite for rural generalist training in Australia, where Rural Generalists (RGs) undergo specialized training in a distinct discipline for a period of 12 months. This study investigated the perspectives of General Practitioners (GPs) regarding the factors influencing their selection of AST programs. Methods: Using a sequential explanatory mixed methods approach, quantitative survey data and qualitative interview data were collected. Quantitative data was analyzed using frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviations, while thematic analysis was employed for the qualitative data. Results: A total of 106 respondents completed the survey, with 13 participating in interviews (supervisors n = 5; registrars n = 8). GPs perceived AST as beneficial in improving patient outcomes (57.5%) and enhancing patient satisfaction (49.1%). Intrinsic motivations for pursuing AST included personal interest, professional growth, and a desire to enhance patient care. However, funding challenges, burnout, and workload were identified as significant barriers to acquiring additional skills. Qualitative analysis identified six themes, three each related to facilitators (desire to work rurally, meeting workforce needs, and support networks) and barriers (work-life balance, mismatched expectations, and inadequate recognition of AST). Conclusion: Additional skills training is a highly valued training program. Most of the GPs who were involved in the program were intrinsically motivated to participate. However, to ensure its sustainability, wider recognition of the value, better visibility, and better alignment with community needs are required.

Details

Title: Enablers and barriers of General Practitioner’s choice of additional skills training: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Abdul-Aziz Seidu - James Cook University
Emma M. Anderson - James Cook University
Hannah Mason - James Cook University
Francis A. Albert - James Cook University
Faith O. Alele - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Public Health
Paula Heggarty - James Cook University
Aaron Hollins - James Cook University
Tarun Sen Gupta - James Cook University
Lawrie McArthur - The University of Adelaide
Richard Hays - James Cook University
Bunmi S. Malau-Aduli (Corresponding Author) - James Cook University
Publication details: Frontiers in Medicine, Vol.12, pp.1-12
Publisher: Frontiers Research Foundation
Date published: 2025
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2025.1506396
ISSN: 2296-858X
PMID: 40491764; PMC12146275
Copyright note: © 2025 Seidu, Anderson, Mason, Albert, Alele, Heggarty, Hollins, Gupta, McArthur, Hays and Malau-Aduli. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Data Availability: The original contributions presented in this study are included in this article/supplementary material, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.
Grant note: This study received funding from the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine.
Organisation Unit: School of Health - Public Health
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991130065202621
Output Type: Journal article

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