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. 2025 May 26:12:1506396.
doi: 10.3389/fmed.2025.1506396. eCollection 2025.

Enablers and barriers of General Practitioner's choice of additional skills training: a mixed-methods study

Abdul-Aziz Seidu  1 , Emma M Anderson  1 , Hannah Mason  1 , Francis A Albert  1 , Faith O Alele  2 , Paula Heggarty  1 , Aaron Hollins  1 , Tarun Sen Gupta  1 , Lawrie McArthur  3 , Richard Hays  1 , Bunmi S Malau-Aduli  1   4
Affiliations

Enablers and barriers of General Practitioner's choice of additional skills training: a mixed-methods study

Abdul-Aziz Seidu et al. Front Med (Lausanne). .

Abstract

Introduction: Additional skills training (AST) is a prerequisite for rural generalist training in Australia, where Rural Generalists (RGs) undergo specialized training in a distinct discipline for a period of 12 months. This study investigated the perspectives of General Practitioners (GPs) regarding the factors influencing their selection of AST programs.

Methods: Using a sequential explanatory mixed methods approach, quantitative survey data and qualitative interview data were collected. Quantitative data was analyzed using frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviations, while thematic analysis was employed for the qualitative data.

Results: A total of 106 respondents completed the survey, with 13 participating in interviews (supervisors n = 5; registrars n = 8). GPs perceived AST as beneficial in improving patient outcomes (57.5%) and enhancing patient satisfaction (49.1%). Intrinsic motivations for pursuing AST included personal interest, professional growth, and a desire to enhance patient care. However, funding challenges, burnout, and workload were identified as significant barriers to acquiring additional skills. Qualitative analysis identified six themes, three each related to facilitators (desire to work rurally, meeting workforce needs, and support networks) and barriers (work-life balance, mismatched expectations, and inadequate recognition of AST).

Conclusion: Additional skills training is a highly valued training program. Most of the GPs who were involved in the program were intrinsically motivated to participate. However, to ensure its sustainability, wider recognition of the value, better visibility, and better alignment with community needs are required.

Keywords: Australia; General Practice; advanced skills training; generalist; remote; rural.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Responses to questions on commitment to excellence in healthcare as factors affecting decision to pursue additional skills training (AST).
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Responses to professional growth and community factors affecting decision to pursue additional skills training (AST).
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Responses to questions on enhancing skills and overcoming barriers through additional skills training (AST).
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Distribution of how advanced skills have changed or impacted General Practitioners (GPs) practice or community.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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