A major obstacle to the maintenance of practice competence is sheer volume new medical information, compounded by difficulties accessing relevant or “just-in-time” information.1 Indeed, research articles and clinical practice guidelines often “fail to adequately comprehend the complex nature of general practice,”2 which deals with illnesses and medical needs that are patient- and situation-specific.3 Family physicians learn better when practice-relevant evidence is synthesized.
Common continuing professional development (CPD) approaches (eg, lectures and handouts) to transmit new knowledge are ineffective in changing physician behaviour.4–6 Interactive approaches, however, can be effective, particularly when they involve participation in small peer groups that foster trust, promote discussion of evidence relevant to real cases, provide feedback on performance, and offer opportunities for practising newly learned skills.4, 7
Using sound educational principles, the practice-based small group (PBSG) learning program was developed to provide effective CPD with a practical, primary care focus to practising family physicians.8, 9 The PBSG learning program began in 1992 as a collaborative effort between McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont, and the Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP), and has grown to a membership of more than 3500 physicians across Canada (Table 110).
Chronological development of PBSG
One objective of the PBSG program is to encourage physician members to reflect on their individual practices and identify any gaps between current practice and the best available evidence. This is accomplished through discussion of real-life medical and patient problems in small groups of peers. Another objective is to encourage group members to initiate, as a result of this discussion, relevant changes to patient care. Within the group, members endeavour to identify specific barriers to these practice changes and to formulate implementation strategies to facilitate desired changes.
Program description
The PBSG learning program consists of 1) a group of family physicians willing to use a defined but flexible process to further their learning, 2) a facilitator who organizes the group, facilitates the learning process, and leads group discussion, 3) educational material in the form of modules, and 4) a tool that triggers reflection on new learning and its implementation into practice via a commitment to change.
The theoretical basis for changing practice begins with the individual physician’s experience of patient care (Figure 1). Through reflection, a gap between current practice and best practice is recognized. Distinguishing this gap presents an opportunity to identify learning objectives specific to the family practice setting. The acquisition of new knowledge, skills, and approaches to bridge this gap follows. Often, however, access to new information alone is not sufficient. Reflection and discussion are necessary to help physicians 1) identify areas where current practice requires change and 2) develop strategies to integrate this new approach.
Practice-based learning circle
The components of the learning program (group process, facilitator training, module development, and practice reflection) are intimately linked and interdependent. Each component is critical to the learning process and ultimately to practice change, with reflection being key.
Group process
Groups of 4 to 10 family physicians form a PBSG in their own communities, meeting for an average of 90 minutes once or twice a month at an agreed upon time and place, allowing time off for holidays and summer vacations.
Each group chooses a topic of discussion from a list of available educational modules based on member interest or identified patient challenges. For each module, groups are encouraged to examine learning objectives relative to their own learning gaps. Group discussion allows for sharing of experiences and of thoughts about strategies for implementing practice changes and about overcoming anticipated barriers.
At the conclusion of each group meeting, a reflection tool is used to guide members in reviewing the discussion and explicitly committing to changing practice or reinforcing current practice. When there are great obstacles to change (eg, limited time, the need to acquire a new skill), the group might decide to set aside time to specifically address strategies for overcoming these barriers.
Facilitator role and training
A peer facilitator plays a vital role in the enduring success of each PBSG. The facilitator is selected by the group and trained in a 1.5-day workshop conducted by experienced facilitators. The workshop provides the new facilitator with individual opportunities to lead a small group using the PBSG modules, and with feedback around managing group process issues. The critical tasks of the facilitator are to focus discussion on real practice issues and to encourage the group to identify factors that assist or hinder implementation of new knowledge or skills into their individual practices. To successfully fulfill this role, facilitators must establish a safe, supportive environment that enhances the identification of practice gaps and encourages the discussion of sensitive patient care issues (including medical errors or ethical issues).
Modules
According to a letter from J. Wakefield, MD, CCFP, FCFP, in September 2005, PBSG modules are designed to engage family physicians “in learning activities that are self-directed and related to authentic practice problems.... The modules provide the practising physician with scientific data formatted into a practical educational framework.” The cases, linked with important information, are the keys to stimulating discussion around patient care issues.
Using a standardized format, family physicians produce 14 to 16 educational modules each year for other family physicians (Table 2). The topics are as diverse as hypertension, behavioural challenges of dementia, and patient safety.
Practice-based small group learning program module
Practice reflection tool
Accompanying each module is a log sheet—a structured tool for promoting reflection on the topic discussed at the group meeting and for identifying plans for practice change. The commitment-to-change section of the log sheet appears in Figure 2.
Commitment-to-change section of group log sheet
Lessons learned
Surveys for the PBSG learning program are regularly distributed to members and facilitators. The results have led to changes in all aspects of the program. Changes have also been triggered when the directors and staff have reflected on the program and when the relevant educational literature underpinning the program was reviewed.
Learning process in the group
Initially, problems with group functioning were anticipated, but they are surprisingly uncommon. Groups of various compositions function effectively in this particular small group environment. Homogenous (as to age, sex, and training) groups often develop an excellent supportive environment created by a shared understanding of the practice reality of the members; heterogeneous groups might provide broader practice experiences and greater variety in potential solutions to practice problems. Groups composed of people who practise together often have an advantage in determining common implementation strategies and ensuring appropriate follow-through.
Providing the modules before the meeting promotes reading and thinking about the content and adds to the richness of the group discussion.
Facilitator training
The more than 450 trained PBSG facilitators are the backbone of the program. If facilitators “burn out,” the group often dissolves. Training for facilitators has been expanded and revised. A standardized workshop has led to a more consistent application of educational principles within groups. Follow-up facilitator training is offered regularly to reinforce and enhance the facilitators’ practices, provide an opportunity to interact with other facilitators, and explore solutions to group issues.
Module development
The format and content of the modules have changed over time in response to member feedback. There are ongoing efforts to keep the modules focused, concise, and practical in order to most effectively accommodate the schedules of busy family physicians. To maintain consistent quality, the modules are rigorously scrutinized before being published Table 3).
Module development process (4–6 mo): Family physician authors have ongoing involvement in all phases of module development
Initially, the modules did not include cases, but physicians found it challenging to bring relevant “condensed cases” to meetings. Hence, practice cases were added to the modules to promote discussion around the identified gaps and to stimulate individual recall of similar patients. Open-ended questions were added to the cases to assist in exploring current approaches used by members. Case commentaries provide one possible approach to application of the new information.
Because physicians wanted to know the strength of the evidence presented, levels of evidence are now cited.
Time constraints of practising physician authors prompted us to develop a team of medical writers and experienced literature searchers to work with the family physician authors, which has greatly enhanced module development.
Reflection tool (log sheet)
The intention of the log sheet is to encourage practice reflection and capture practice change. Unfortunately, the tool is often viewed by groups as solely an administrative task for providing feedback to the program. Although periodic reviews are encouraged to determine whether or not changes in practice have occurred, some of the groups are not undertaking this task systematically.
Membership demographics
In 1992 PBSG began as an innovative program, a collaborative effort between McMaster University and the OCFP, with 117 physicians in 16 small groups across Ontario (Table 1). The program currently consists of more than 3500 members (Figure 3), comprising approximately 20% of the membership of the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC).
Practice-based small group membership across Canada compared with CFPC total membership: PBSG membership across Canada given as a percent of total CFPC membership. Dashed line indicates national average of PBSG to CFPC membership in percent.
When the CFPC introduced Mainpro-C credits, the PBSG learning program was the first to be awarded these credits (Table 1). The removal of required Mainpro-C credits in 2003 caused a slight drop in PBSG membership, but in the subsequent 3 years, growth of membership numbers has resumed.
Compared with overall family physician data from the National Physician Survey (NPS), PBSG has a higher relative proportion of female participants to male participants (Figure 4). How year of medical school graduation among group members compares with that among NPS respondents is outlined in Figure 5. There are comparatively more members who graduated from 1981 to 2000. Finally, the location of practice of participants reflects that of the NPS database (Figure 6).
Sex of practice-based small group members of the Foundation for Medical Practice in comparison with the National Physician Survey: Data shown are current as of 2004.
Year of medical school graduation for practice-based small group members of the FMPE in comparison with the NPS: Data shown are current as of 2004.
Population served by physician’s practice for practice-based small group members of the FMPE in comparison with the NPS: Data shown are current as of 2004.
Within PBSG, nearly 80% have been members for 5 years or longer and nearly two thirds have been with the program for 7 or more years.
In member surveys, 90% of the respondents report the overall learning experience within the PBSG program to be good to excellent, with peer group interaction providing an enjoyable learning environment, an opportunity to share experiences, and a chance to focus on real practice issues.
Effect on practice
In a randomized controlled trial involving PBSG members (Better Prescribing Project11), change in prescribing practice was examined. Physicians who received feedback about personal prescribing or who used the PBSG process to discuss hypertension were more likely to change their prescribing than physicians in PBSG who reviewed a different condition. When feedback about personal prescribing was combined with the PBSG process, the effect on prescribing was even greater. Physicians who expressed a commitment to change on their log sheets were more likely, in the following 6 months, to change their actual prescribing for the target medications in 3 of 4 conditions.10
Despite viewing completion of the log sheet as an administrative task, more than 75% of the groups did so regularly. Of these log sheets, 83% described plans to make at least 1 specific practice change because of the module information and group discussion, and 90% reported making more general practice changes (eg, being more proactive in prevention and screening).
Discussion
Since 1992, the PBSG learning program has provided “opportunities for physicians to discuss the inherent difficulties involved in integrating new scientific discoveries into the realities of day-to-day clinical practice in a supportive and understanding culture.”8 The program has evolved over time, but the fundamental construct of the program remains interactive and reflective learning to facilitate changes in practice behaviour.
The demographics of program participation suggest that the program applies across physician practice locations. Physicians join slightly more in urban and suburban settings, possibly because it is relatively easier to find sufficient members in cities than in rural or remote locations. Although there is a slight difference in the proportion of women to men, this style of learning is applicable to and effective for both sexes. The increase in involvement by those who have trained since 1981 might reflect greater experience with small group learning in initial training.
The educational research literature addresses many components of the PBSG program. An interactive small group can prompt moderately large changes in physician practice.4–6, 9 Learning from and with colleagues is an important source of both new information and strategies for applying that information to practice.12–14 Exposure to the experiences and uncertainties of trusted colleagues could also enhance the accuracy of physicians’ self-assessment.15 Given the inaccuracy of physicians in assessing personal practice gaps, this collegial interaction can be pivotal16 in focusing the desire for competence that precipitates practice change.17
The use of a case-based format encourages activation of previous knowledge, allowing better retrieval of knowledge in the clinical setting.18 Elaboration of new knowledge is also facilitated through the “process of working with it, discussing it, and connecting it with what is already known.”19 Further, because physicians tend to generate at least 1 question for every 2 patients they see,20, 21 the opportunity to explore these questions in the groups can stimulate development of ideas for future change.17, 23
Implementation of new knowledge in the clinical setting is the ultimate goal of the small group meetings. In addition to the Better Prescribing Project,11 other studies have documented changes resulting from the learning in small peer groups.4, 23
Lack of strategies to assist implementation is an additional barrier to practice change.24, 25 Although a Cochrane review6 was unable to establish that identification and development of strategies address barriers, Ockene and Zapka26 were able to show a positive effect on practice change when change was encouraged and recognized. Encouraging and recognizing change is one of the crucial tasks of the PBSG facilitator. Further, the specific strategies identified within the group would be expected to enhance implementation. Focused printed materials, practice aids, and patient handouts can also facilitate practice implementation,27 and the modules often provide these.
A study by Pereles et al28 identified the important roles of the facilitator as promoting discussion and validation of practice, encouraging learning from each other, and developing a shared knowledge base and a sense of collegiality. However, if the facilitator lost interest or became fatigued, disintegration of the group was likely. The PBSG has developed both a follow-up meeting for experienced facilitators and an abbreviated workshop specifically for “replacement” facilitators. A benefit of these initiatives has been the opportunity to examine the educational processes occurring within existing groups and to provide direction and strategies to enhance learning.
Next steps
The Canadian membership in PBSGs has steadily increased, and now international interest is growing. Despite these successes, many aspects of the program require further exploration to ensure that constructive evolution continues. Identification of the gap between current practice and best practice is not always accurate, and strategies to enhance accuracy should be explored. Factors that contribute to an effective small group and the life cycle of a typical group have yet to be clarified. The critical contribution of facilitators has been discussed, but the elements contributing to the effectiveness and resilience of the facilitator need examination. Finally, further study of the factors that enhance subsequent practice implementation would clarify how physician practices change.
Conclusion
The current PBSG learning program has evolved steadily in response to feedback of members, reflection of developers, and review of the educational literature. Discussion focused on current practice issues and supported by evidence appears to provide accessible opportunities for practising physicians in small groups to enhance their implementation of new knowledge. Physicians trained in the past 25 years, of either sex, appear to be especially interested in this form of education.
Acknowledgment
The authors acknowledge the pivotal developmental role of Dr John Premi, Professor Emeritus at McMaster University. The program has benefited from the feedback and commitment of many members, authors, facilitators, and staff of The Foundation for Medical Practice Education (www.fmpe.org).
Notes
EDITOR’S KEY POINTS
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The sheer volume of new medical information available can be overwhelming for family physicians.
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Interactive approaches to learning, which include a synthesis of practice-relevant evidence, can be effective tools for busy family physicians in the maintenance of practice competence.
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The practice-based small group learning program is an effective continuing professional development option for family physicians in Canada and beyond.
POINTS DE REPÈRE DU RÉDACTEUR
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Par son seul volume, la nouvelle information médicale peut facilement submerger le médecin de famille.
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Les méthodes interactives d’apprentissage qui comportent une synthèse des données pertinentes à la pratique peuvent être efficaces pour permettre au médecin de famille de maintenir un bon niveau de compétence.
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Les programme d’apprentissage en petit groupes en milieu de pratique constituent un moyen efficace pour assurer une formation professionnelle continue aux médecins canadiens et d’ailleurs.
Footnotes
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This article has been peer reviewed.
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Competing interests
None declared
- Copyright© the College of Family Physicians of Canada
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