Establishing the continuing professional development needs of general practitioners in their first five years after training

AIMS: To identify existing and preferred methods of accessing CPD for GPs in the first five years of independent practice. To establish areas of CPD need for this group. To quantify how many First5 GPs are currently part of a small group and if they undertake CPD in this format. To investigate how First5 currently fund CPD and how much they would be willing to invest in CPD per year. METHODS: Online survey of RCGP members who have been on the GP register for less than five years. RESULTS: First5 GPs access CPD in a variety of formats. CPD provision around practice management and leadership aimed at GPs in their first five years is currently lacking. Many First5 GPs already belong to a small group but more than half find undertaking CPD in the small group is challenging. Most First5 GPs self fund their educational activity and would like to spend £500 or less per year on CPD. CONCLUSION: Cost-effective CPD tailored to the needs of GPs in their first five years of independent practice and delivered in a variety of formats is lacking in some educational areas. First5 GPs require formal written guidance on delivering CPD in small groups.