The Rationale behind
Higher Professional Education
What is HPE?
HPE is a scheme designed to support the ongoing
educational needs of doctors working in general practice during the first
two years following the completion of vocational training.
The HPE scheme provides financial support of £250 per
day up to a total of £5000 to cover locum payments or loss of earnings while
eligible doctors are engaged in educational activities.
Why HPE?
Background
Many newly qualified GPs find that their initial years
in independent practice are difficult. As newly independent doctors they are
no longer working in the relatively protected environment of a training
practice, and no longer have the support of a VTS course.
‘…the features of
vocational training which GP Registrars value, such as peer support and
educational opportunities, are, for many new principles, elements which are
missing from their working lives…’ White and Severs (1999)
Aim
The aim of the HPE scheme in Bristol is to address this
imbalance by complementing and furthering the learning of the GP registrar
year. It is designed to
- offer education, both clinical and non-clinical, the need for which
arises from GPs’ professional experience
- support and facilitate ongoing peer support
- encourage personal development and reflection
above all, equip GPs with the skills required to be
fully independent learners and practitioners.
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