Usman Jawad, Sara Malik, Hafiz Muhammad Shiraz, Khalid-ur Rehman, Naveed Ali Shair, Muhammad Hanif Mian.
Reimagining the training and licensing of general practitioners in Pakistan: a cross sectional study.
Pak J Med Health Sci Jan ;13(4):878.

Background: The health care needs of the growing population of Pakistan necessitate the development of a trained workforce of general practitioners to provide effective, comprehensive and safe care in the community. Aim : To examine the perceptions of general practitioners regarding the need of a structured training program leading to license to practice and their interest and perceived requirements to supervise PG trainees in Practice. Study design : Cross Sectional Survey . Settings : Family Medicine Conference, University of Health Sciences Lahore. Methods : Using convenience sampling, data was collected through a self -administered, pre -structured questionnaire from general practitioners. Out of 300 only 106 returned the questionnaire with 35% response. Result : 78 (73%) respondents favored the idea of establishing a structured licensing training program for General Practice and 80 (75%) family physicians expressed the desire to supervise trainees in their clinics if they are supported in supervisory training and infrastructure development for becoming teaching practices. Conclusion : The need of introducing a structured training licensing program in General Practice is essential for an effective and comprehensive system of primary care. This objective can be achieved through resource allocation, production of trainers, infrastructure development, structured training schemes and licensing examination under the umbrella of a national or provincial statutory body of GPs whose time has come.

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