QUALITY ASSURANCE FOR FAMILY-PRACTICE TRAINEES IN THE USA AND THE UK - TOO LITTLE TOO LATE

Summary A postal survey about opinions of quality assurance and the methods used to teach this subject was sent to all family practice course organizers in England, Wales and Scotland, and to all family practice residency directors in the USA. Opinions of quality assurance were more positive from the American responders. A wide variety of teaching methods was employed, with review of records for the quality of care more common in the USA, but trainees in the UK were more likely to participate in quality assurance, rather than merely being exposed to it. However, the proportion of trainees in either country that undertook projects was disappointingly low. The teaching of quality assurance to trainees needs to be given a higher priority in both the USA and UK. 1990 Blackwell Publishing