Playing an active role in nurturing and training the next generation of GPs and other health care professionals is rewarding, adds variety to your work, develops other skills and expertise, and makes you part of a new community of Educators. Many comment that it revitalises their work‑life and wonder why they didn’t do it earlier!
In the East of England there is a straightforward 5 step pathway for ‘Aspiring Educator Training’, which is run by the local Training Hubs on a regular basis which started in early 2024.
You can become a Tier 3 educator aka Educational Supervisor (or trainer in the old language), or tier 2b Educator aka Clinical supervisor (associate trainer) or Tier 2a, OOH supervisor, by doing more, or less, of the content in the pathway. (Up to level Tier 2b this may be appropriate for other professionals apart from GPs who have an input into GP Registrar training.)
The training uses a blended approach, and is guided by a very usable handbook that provides a long lasting record of your learning. Apart from your handbook which has links to the teaching through relevant content, videos, exercises, examples and reflection, there is a half‑day Educational Theory webinar and a 2‑day Face‑to‑face workshop. Finally, there is a simple form that requires your details and declaration of suitability and completion of training. The whole process takes around 25‑35 hours.
Ongoing Quality Monitoring
As an Educator there are ongoing requirements to keep up to date in your Educator role, and to ensure you are providing a good experience for your learners.
With this in mind, the Primary Care School puts on various events and produces a regular newsletter, and the local GP training schemes run Educator meetings and workshops.
Once you have been approved as an Educator in the East of England for about 2 years, you will be asked to complete a self‑declaration form in line with the national Educational Quality Framework. At this stage you are asked to have attended 50% of local Trainers meetings and 1 day put on by the Primary Care School.
The Training Hub seeks feedback from Learners and the TPDs and if all is satisfactory, the next time you will need to complete the form will be 4 or 5 years further on. At this stage there are some further requirements to have extended your experience and skills.
Some GPs and Practices enjoy playing their part in the education of undergraduate medical students.
There are 3 local universities who regularly send students.
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