Evaluation of the Star Family Doctors Training Program: A semi-control cohort study of a novel continuing medical education program for general practitioners within a compact medical consortium

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: To determine the effectiveness of the Star Family Doctors Training Program, a comprehensive continuing medical education (CME) program for general practitioners (GPs) in a compact medical consortium. Patients and Methods: Semi-control cohort study with quantitative and qualitative analyses in primary health care institutions in Sichuan Province. The interventions were as following: (1) The Star Family Doctors Training Program is a full-time, local government allocation program certified by the Health Department of Sichuan Province, emphasizing small group learning and practice, and using standard patients and medical patient simulators; 30 participants were selected by their institutions. (2) The control group underwent a self-financed after-work CME program using conventional lectures; 50 participants were self-selected. Short-term effectiveness assessed using immediate post-training tests and self-evaluations; long-term (1 year) effectiveness evaluated using self-reported surveys. Results: The study involved 80 GPs (28.75% men; mean age: 38.2 ± 9.2 years). The average post-training total score was higher in the STAR group than in the control group (72.83 ± 5.73 vs. 68.18 ± 7.64; p = 0.005). Compared to the controls, the STAR group trainees showed better application of the training contents (p = 0.03), more outpatients (p = 0.02) and patients who signed family-doctor contracts (p = 0.001), and increased patient satisfaction (p = 0.03). STAR-group trainees appraised the program higher and were more willing to recommend it to colleagues (90% vs. 64%, p = 0.011). Conclusion: The Star Family Doctors Training Program achieved good responses and provides a reference for future CME programs.