BACKGROUND: A key activity for doctors is lifelong learning. This may be as part of professional development, vocational registration, formal postgraduate study, e.g. university diplomas and degrees, or vocational training which leads to fellowship of a professional college. However, there are significant barriers of time and cost that prevent many doctors from participating in lifelong learning. METHOD: We examined the range of basic and postgraduate qualifications held by a representative sample of 1198 doctors provided by the HIC of Australian doctors. DISCUSSION: Significant numbers of general practitioners practise without a formal postgraduate qualification in general practice, unlike our specialist colleagues. However, postgraduate studies are undertaken in a variety of other formats and qualifications.
BACKGROUND: A key activity for doctors is lifelong learning. This may be as part of professional development, vocational registration, formal postgraduate study, e.g. university diplomas and degrees, or vocational training which leads to fellowship of a professional college. However, there are significant barriers of time and cost that prevent many doctors from participating in lifelong learning. METHOD: We examined the range of basic and postgraduate qualifications held by a representative sample of 1198 doctors provided by the HIC of Australian doctors. DISCUSSION: Significant numbers of general practitioners practise without a formal postgraduate qualification in general practice, unlike our specialist colleagues. However, postgraduate studies are undertaken in a variety of other formats and qualifications.