Evaluating the impact on practice of a west of Berkshire protected learning time initiative in primary care.

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN IN THIS AREA

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Research indicates that Protected Learning Time (PLT) events in primary care enable professionals to network and share ideas.

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A variety of educational techniques have been shown to improve performance of: individual practitioners in other settings.

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Beyond one-off examples, there is little published evidence that PLT helps to improve practice.

WHAT THIS WORK ADDS

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It describes a range of ways in which PLT has impacted on practice at the level of the individual, the team and the wider organisation.

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It highlights the main benefits of large event PLT according to participants at a Berkshire initiative. The benefits include increased awareness of services, increased understanding of illnesses and improved treatment.

SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH

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Do large PLT events have different outcomes from practice-based PLT?

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How does PLT impact on the development of a learning culture?

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How can large; learning events best meet the needs of different groups of professionals?

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What impact, if any, does the closure of surgeries for PLT have on use of out-of-hours services or subsequent workload?