Table 15 Recommendations for clinicians, policymakers and educators

Embed NPT in curricula and professional development activities throughout medical career

1. That RTPs and universities ensure that NPT skills are considered a core competency.

2. That RTPs and universities provide some NPT training as a matter of course.

3. That RTPs and universities make some level of NPT practice while on placement mandatory to encourage the development of NPT teaching skills that can translate to improved patient education skills as well as improved skills in communicating with colleagues.

Educate key stake holders on benefits of NPT

4. That in the process of providing training and pre-placement information to supervisors, RTPs and universities make the backgrounds of their registrars, PT and medical students known to supervisors, educate them on what juniors can bring to their practices and what type of teaching roles (and topics) may be appropriate for juniors depending on their level and backgrounds, and stress the importance of inviting them to teach.

5. That RTPs and universities also educate learners on what they bring to the practice, which will improve their confidence to take on NPT roles.

Educate supervisors

6. That RTPs and universities provide feedback to supervisors on the importance of supporting learners with NPT teaching roles in the form of giving the learners tips, giving them feedback on how they went and how they could improve, and encouraging other learners to provide feedback also.

7. That RTPs and universities provide information to supervisors on how to determine readiness to teach.

Systems

8. Increase exposure of all key stakeholders to NPT

9. Develop systems for medical students to prepare resources for educational sessions for senior learners and GPs.

10. NPT systems implementation should include a component that measures the learners’ level of knowledge in terms of postgraduate training, previous health-related careers, and basic sciences. This information should be used to develop local NPT training sessions.

11. NPT practice implementation should coincide with developing compliance or quality assurance systems to ensure legal and professional rules and regulations are safeguarded.

12. Reduce the reliance of senior registrars on fee for service and have them paid a salary via a central training body, as then taking on a clinical supervision load would not impact their income.

Collaboration

13. That RTPs and universities collaborate to provide opportunities for supervisors and multiple levels of learners to interact in a setting where learners can showcase their knowledge and skills.