ABSTRACT
One of the major differences between Exeter's training programme and many others is the three-year structure with the emphasis on a continuing day release course during this time. Amongst the studies Dr Elliott undertook was the distribution of a questionnaire to a large number of trainers, course organisers and regional advisers. The questionnaire asked them if they had noticed differences between first-, second- and third-year trainees, and the comments made were very interesting. The first-year trainee was described as 'keen, receptive and enthusiastic', but also 'doctor orientated, insecure, naive and hospital orientated.' It was noted that 'the clinical diagnosis predominates over social/psychological factors and they have little concept of general practice. The second-year trainee was noted to be more troublesome. The third-year trainee was seen to progress and change. A great deal of work was done in the first half of the century on the development of the individual, which might help to explain these observations.
