Objectives: There is an increasing focus on improving outcomes for populations. General practice has a key role to play in achieving better patient outcomes. A programme in population health management was developed for GP trainees in their fourth year. The objective was to evaluate this educational intervention for impact upon learners, and lessons learned in the delivery of this innovative programme.
Methods: The evaluation approach combined qualitative and quantitative approaches involving GP trainees, GP trainers, and faculty.
Results: Involvement in the programme had a positive impact upon trainees' knowledge of population health management, developed transferable skills, and encouraged a shift in mindset to considering the needs of a practice population. The impact upon patients and practices is also described. Lessons learned for enhancing the programme are explained.
Conclusions: Encouraging GP trainees to become involved with population health has significant benefits for their professional development. The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) curriculum should consider incorporating population health competencies.
Keywords: Curriculum development; GP training; Population health management; Service improvement.