'Practice Professional Development Plans': general practitioners' perspectives on proposed changes in general practice education

Background. The Chief Medical Officer has presented a report proposing a change in general practitioners' education towards a 'Practice Professional Development Plan', which, in principle, is based around formal needs assessment, practice-based learning in areas identified by those involved, and with the potential for multiprofessional learning. This aims to replace the present system of a financial allowance earned by attending a certain amount of educational activity. Aim. To study the opinions of a group of general practitioners attending a course that included workshops that introduced and considered this educational initiative. Method. Semi-structured interviews four weeks after the course. Results. Educational benefits were clearly seen, while issues such as funding and time will present difficulties in implementation. Conclusions. This proposal was seen as an improvement to the existing postgraduate educational allowance system. To maintain enthusiasm, successful introduction will depend on the issues of support and resources.