ABSTRACT
This article is a short report on the third Japan-UK Primary Care Exchange Programme. Japanese delegates visited Scotland in September of 2015. They watched GP surgeries and attended the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Annual Primary Care Conference. The following topics are covered as some of the most insightful experiences: NHS Cancer screening programmes, support for people with cancer and their families, working conditions for GPs, and the Half-Day Release Programme for GP specialist training. In addition, the delegates reflected on their experiences.
ABSTRACT
Introduction : <br> This article aims to explain the new Membership of Royal College of General Practitioners (nMRCGP), new postgraduate general practice training in the UK. It will also compare this with that of the Japan Primary Care Association to identify areas requiring further development in postgraduate family medicine training in Japan.<br>Methods : <br> The introduction of the nMRCGP based on the available literature, followed by discussion amongst family physicians and trainees in Japan.<br>Results : <br> Following a comparison between the postgraduate general practice training in the UK and Japan, the following three points were raised : 1) The need for a clear definition of the role that family physicians play in Japan. 2) The importance of formative assessment as part of the membership examination in the form of portfolios. 3) The need for clear competency areas to form the framework for formative assessment, and for the clear standard that trainees are judged against in each of those competency areas.<br>Conclusion : <br> The above results were highlighted and discussed as possible areas for further development in postgraduate family medicine training in Japan.