The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners
-
Computers are now in widespread use by general practitioners (GPs) in many countries. In New Zealand this development has advanced general practice research by enabling collaboration among a small population of doctors practising in geographically diverse locations. This paper reviews the establishment of the Computer Research Network of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) and its development between 1990 and 1995. ⋯ In addition to the routine analysis of utilization for feedback to participants, 13 research projects have been completed. These include investigations of access to general practice care, use of health services by individuals and families, surveillance of immunization uptake, epidemiology of common conditions, and the use of pharmaceuticals in general practice. The RNZCGP Computer Research Network is an example of a computerized general practice research network that has been productive without receiving significant financial resources or having a formal management structure.
-
Career preferences of medical students: influence of a new four-week attachment in general practice.
It is not clear why medical students choose one specialty over another. Experiences at medical school are extremely strong determinants of attitudes to the medical specialties, and attitude is the most important factor in determining choice. ⋯ The general practice attachment influenced students, especially males, towards a career in general practice, but this effect was transient. This cohort of doctors should be followed up in order to discover their ultimate career choices.