How well are general practice trainees prepared for paediatric prescribing?

Abstract

AIMS AND METHODOLOGY: We invited 232 General Practice Trainees to complete an on-line questionnaire to assess how they rated their training for the task of paediatric prescribing and therapeutics in the community. RESULTS: Of the 166 (71%) respondents who completed the questionnaire, 26.5% recalled specific teaching about paediatric prescribing and 59.6% covering one or more relevant topic during their undergraduate years. Undertaking a paediatric post during vocational training was associated with greater prescribing confidence (P < 0.001); however, 35% of respondents were not intending to undertake such a post. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that many GP trainees perceive their paediatric prescribing training as inadequate. © 2009 The Authors.