‘I feel many of my reflections are forced’: International medical graduates’ perspectives on reflection in UK general practice training: a mixed methods qualitative study
2023

International medical graduates’ views on reflection in UK GP training

Sample size: 433 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Emery Laura Jayne, Jackson Ben, Mitchell Caroline

Primary Institution: Academic Unit of Primary Care, The University of Sheffield Faculty of Medicine Dentistry and Health

Hypothesis

What are the perspectives of international medical graduates on reflection in postgraduate GP training?

Conclusion

Most international medical graduates understand the benefits of reflection in GP training, but challenges such as time constraints and the forced nature of reflection need to be addressed.

Supporting Evidence

  • 80% of international medical graduates have not experienced reflection prior to entering GP training.
  • IMGs value reflection as an effective tool for professional development.
  • Concerns over time taken to write reflections and the forced nature of reflections threaten to devalue the process.
  • Reducing the number of required reflections could help alleviate pressure on trainees.
  • Many IMGs expressed fear of medico-legal consequences related to their reflections.

Takeaway

International medical graduates think reflecting on their experiences helps them learn, but it can be hard and feels forced sometimes.

Methodology

A mixed-methods qualitative study using survey data and semi-structured interviews.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to the lead researcher's recent completion of GP training.

Limitations

Participants self-selected for interviews, which may over-represent strong views.

Participant Demographics

{"total":433,"sex_distribution":{"male":188,"female":230,"prefer_not_to_say":4},"ethnicity_distribution":{"Arab":34,"Asian":161,"Black":153,"Mixed":11,"White":41,"Other":15,"prefer_not_to_say":7}}

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.3399/BJGPO.2023.0210

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