The COVID-19-forced transformation of general practitioner training from face-to-face to online delivery: A qualitative study of participants' experiences.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Outside the clinical space, face-to-face education essentially stopped when the COVID-19 pandemic started, largely substituted by online education. This provided an opportunity to explore general practice registrar and educator views about the benefits, challenges and enablers of both types of educational delivery.


METHOD
This qualitative study included 45 registrars and medical educators from across Queensland, Australia. Transcripts of five focus groups and 22 semi-structured interviews were analysed thematically using the Framework Method.


RESULTS
Major themes focused on social connection, learning engagement, content delivery, and time and space in relation to education. Other themes included technology, unplanned learning, learning safety and pastoral care. Face-to-face education was viewed more positively than online education, but many suggested ways to enhance online education.


DISCUSSION
The importance of social connection dominated and underpinned many other themes identified as central to achieving safe and effective vocational general practitioner education.