Application of the Theory-Clinical-Community Three-Stage Training Model in General Practitioner Cultivation: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Survey of an in-Service Continuing Professional Development Program

Abstract

Abstract Background Primary care general practitioners (GPs) serve as the cornerstone of primary health service delivery, and enhancing their clinical competencies is essential to addressing the growing demand for community-based healthcare. Purpose This study evaluated the implementation outcomes of a 16‑week in‑service continuing professional development (CPD) programme—the Theory‑Clinical‑Community (TCC) three‑stage training—and focused on participants’ satisfaction, development of self‑perceived confidence, and suggestions for programme optimisation. Patients and methods A retrospective cross-sectional survey was conducted among 111 primary care GPs from county and township health institutions who completed five consecutive training cohort at Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province (China) from July 2022 to January 2025. Demographic data, training satisfaction, self-assessed improvements in core clinical competencies, and suggestions regarding rotation duration and department composition were collected via an online questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were employed for data analysis. Results Overall satisfaction with the training model reached 100% (94.6% reported “very satisfied”). Regarding self-assessed competency improvement, over 87% of participants reported “significant progress” in the diagnosis and management of common and frequent diseases, chronic disease management, and rational medication use in community settings. Regarding optimization suggestions, 67.6% of participants considered the current department configuration adequate, while some proposed the inclusion of auxiliary examination departments (9.0%) and traditional Chinese medicine/rehabilitation departments (6.3%). Conclusion The TCC three-stage training model is feasible and has been highly recognised by primary care GPs, with significant self-perceived confidence development reported across most competency domains. Based on participants’ self-assessments, this study offers preliminary insights for refining competency-based training systems for primary care GPs.