Principles of Primary Care CPD Course
Dates:
Friday 25th April 2025 (Full day, hybrid delivery) COURSE NOW FULL
Please book on one of the forthcoming dates (Full day hybrid delivery)
10th October 2025
11th February 2026
23rd May 2026
14th October 2026
"An inspirational day to reflect on what Primary Care is in the current health care context and invigorate your role in the company of a supportive multi-professional peer group and excellent tutors." Testimonial 2024 course participant
What is Primary Care? What are its core principles? How does it deliver outstanding health outcomes?
Public Health and Primary Care are key to the delivery of healthcare for populations from birth to old age. Primary care is also the most efficient form of care and the chosen way to deliver health for all (WHO). But there is sometimes a lack of understanding about its core principles and the evidence behind its efficiency. Knowledge of these key principles may give practitioners a new sense of pride in what they do and for policymakers may demystify some of the hype around primary care and general practice.
This one-day course provides a unique insight into practical solutions to these issues and can help health professionals to make a meaningful impact in their communities – whether based in the UK or in other countries.
Course expertise
The course is delivered by internationally recognised practitioners and researchers. They have been key contributors towards defining what primary care is and providing the evidence that underpins it:
- Professor Alex Harding – internationally recognised as a family practitioner, and a highly regarded senior academic and researcher will lead the day.
For more details about the course including fees and delivery click on Course details below.
You can read about the origins of the course in this article, 'How Exeter is helping to strengthen primary care expertise globally'.
Primary care delivers outstanding health outcomes
Delivery format
This one-day course provides a unique insight into practical solutions to issues around primary care and which will help health professionals to make a meaningful impact in their communities – whether based in the UK or in other countries.
We will explore the core concepts of both primary care and its crossover into public health providing an integrated perspective.
Participants will be offered a toolkit of practical skills enabling them to apply the learning in practice.
The contact days focus on applying ideas to practise using a combination of small groups, masterclasses and interactive panel sessions. You will also have access to pre-course reading and resources and materials developed by the faculty.
After completing the course you will have also gained an insight into academic postgraduate study and the possibility of continuing your studies in education, public health and leadership.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course you will be able to:
- Understand and evaluate the evidence that makes primary care the most effective type of healthcare
- Understand and apply key principles that may explain why primary care is so effective
- Apply some of these principles, such as consulting skills or managing change through practical training
Includes access to pre-course reading and one day course - join either via zoom or in-person at St Lukes Campus, University of Exeter
Delegate rates
Standard course fee - £275
To discuss any aspect of the course please contact Dr Shelley Rhodes, the Primary Care Programme Manager at s.rhodes@exeter.ac.uk
BOOK NOW for April Course COURSE NOW FULL
Who is it for?
Designed for UK and international health professionals – those working in Primary Care, General Practitioners, Allied Health Professionals (nurses, radiographers, midwives, paramedics, Physician Associates, occupational therapists), Care Home staff, health policy makers, pharmacists, specialist doctors, individuals volunteering as Patient Participants in healthcare or research, NHS managers, third sector.
Programme
Friday 25th April 2025
|
Time |
Title and Short Description |
|
08:30 |
Refreshments in JS.07, Johnson Smeall Building, St Luke's Campus |
|
09:00 |
Welcome, introductions and outline of the day |
|
09:30 |
Why is Primary Care so important? Exploring the work of Barbara Starfield and others suggesting that Primary Care is the most effective form of healthcare. |
|
10:40 |
Break |
|
11:00 |
The core principles of Primary Care If Primary Care is so effective, then how does it do this? We explore key principles of Primary Care using research and resources developed by the course faculty. |
|
12:30 |
Lunch Break |
|
13:30 |
Practical: Either Leading Primary Care teams and organisations though Change We explore Kotter’s model of change and help you apply this model to change projects in which you are involved. OR Health promotion/behaviour change Combining the stages of change model and motivational interviewing, we show you how to apply these in practice. |
|
16:00 |
Concluding plenary, further reading, next steps etc. Feedback |
|
16:30 |
Close |
You can access the textbook here: https://www.rcgp.org.uk/undergraduate
The Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School launched a new part-time PG Certificate in Primary Care - Programme Lead Professor Alex Harding. If you wish to know more about this course please email: Dr Shelley Rhodes, Primary Care Programme Manager at s.rhodes@exeter.ac.uk.
Speakers
Prof Alex Harding
Course Director, Family Practitioner, Co-Chair of UK Heads of Teachers and advisor to WHO education group
Alex Harding has been a Family Practitioner for 25 years and having worked in several countries, now works in Exeter in the South-West of England. He is currently involved in research on healthcare education policy, continuity and how clinical learning takes place. He is the Course Director for the programme and also Course Director for the Masters in Clinical Education. Alex is currently working with WHO and several other international bodies, to develop primary care and primary care education.
Contact us
Please contact the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Team Continuing Professional Development Team with any questions at FHLS_CPD@exeter.ac.uk
Article: How Exeter is helping to strengthen primary care expertise globally
You can read about the origins of the course in this article.
