ABSTRACT
All of the trainee assistant appointments in general practice in Denmark were assessed by means of a questionnaire investigation during a period of two years. Particular attention was paid to the quality of training and whether there were particular characteristics in the practice which provide the best training. The material consists of 360 questionnaires sent to trainee assistants in general practice one month before conclusion of the appointment. The percentage of replies was 89. The average number of years after graduation was 6.5, which is considerably higher than aimed at in future plans. The investigation reveals that the educational quality and training by the tutor did not appear to be influenced by the number of postgraduate years although there was no doubt that younger trainees required more training and supervision. The quality of training is best in one-man practices and this is followed closely by small partnerships. The investigation reveals that training by the tutor is of decisive significance. It is therefore recommended that trainees in general practice should be more closely associated with one of the practitioners responsible for training. Three fourths of the trainees found that trainee assistant appointment was better than hospital appointments in general. The investigation indicates that following should be standard in every practice: 1) own consultation room, 2) typed records, 3) an introductory leaflet and that training should be arranged with: 1) introduction, 2) half-way assessments, 3) daily conferences about individual patients and 4) weekly conferences about particular subjects related to the practice.
