The paediatric clinical experiences of general practice registrars

Abstract

Background The impact of the ageing population on the paediatric clinical experiences of general practice registrars is unknown. Methods A secondary analysis of the Registrar Clinical Encounters in Training dataset to examine the distribution of visit proportions and length, and the most common diagnoses seen (by patient age) by registrars in the general practice setting. Results Children aged less than 4 years comprised 9% of patients seen, 5-14 years, 8%, and 15-19 years comprised 6%. Registrars spent the most time in consultations with patients aged 65+ years and the least time with children aged 5-14 years. Registrars reported significantly more extended consultations of more than 40 min..