Paradigm of continuing personal development for GP non-principals

A paradigm of continuing personal development for retainer doctors is described. This is underpinned by a process of self-directed learning (SDL). Many doctors brought up in a culture of pedagogic medical education may not have the necessary skills to become adult self-directed learners. Such a process can be facilitated through the development of learning plans by identifying educational needs, meeting those needs through appropriate aims and objectives and assessing whether these needs have been met through a process of feedback. A learning plan format and profile grid are described which may be used to aid SDL within a model of continuing personal development.