Teaching contributions of senior clinicians in a Basic Physician Trainee training programme

Education of Basic Physician Trainees (BPTs) in preparation for their Royal Australasian College of Physician Divisional Examinations requires time contribution by senior medical staff towards formal teaching activities. This study, conducted at a major metropolitan teaching hospital, sought to quantify the time commitment of senior medical staff towards teaching of BPTs in one clinical year, as well as the perceptions of those staff regarding time commitments through anonymous questionnaire. Senior medical staff involved in formal teaching activities provided a mean of 10 h; questionnaire respondents indicated a mean contribution of 20 h. This study highlights the significant time contribution of senior medical staff to formal teaching activities for BPTs, as well as identifies possible unmeasured teaching contributions.