GP supervisors - an investigation into their motivations and teaching activities

Background There is little empirical information on how general practitioner (GP) supervisors teach and the reasons for the variation in their teaching methods. Could the variation be due to differing motivations to teach? Methods Supervisors from one regional training provider who attended educational workshops in 2013 were surveyed, seeking information on their motivation to become and remain a supervisor, and the frequency of use of selected teaching activities. Results The majority of respondents cited intrinsic motivators, including enjoying teaching (84%), contribution to the profession and community (82%), adding variety (78%) and workforce/succession planning (69%), as reasons for becoming GP supervisors. The expected relationships between motivations and teaching activities were not found. Discussion Variation in teaching activities used by supervisors does not appear to be associated with differing motivations. Measuring the use of teaching activities is not a mechanism to determine a supervisor's commitment to teaching.