Telehealth changed the way GP registrars learn, new research shows
23 Jan 2026
With more than 90% of general practices adopting telehealth within months of the pandemic’s onset, it is estimated that 21% of GP registrar consultations in 2020–21 were conducted via telehealth, mostly by phone rather than video.
The study, recently published in Medical Education, involved interviews with 15 registrars, five supervisors, and five medical educators. It found that telehealth disrupted traditional learning interactions, with registrars often seeking supervisory advice after consultations rather than during them. Educators noted this reduced opportunities for immediate feedback, and many in-person learning moments were lost as consultations focused on simpler tasks like repeat prescriptions and follow-ups.
Co-author Parker Magin noted the findings align with previous research showing shorter consultations, fewer problems addressed per visit, and less in-consultation supervision during telehealth sessions.
Lead author Irena Patsan said the shift changed the social learning space in practices. “Telehealth altered the usual learning environment for supervisors and registrars,” she said, highlighting the need for telehealth-specific training to ensure registrars continue to learn effectively.
Senior author Dr Linda Klein added that while telehealth expands options for patients and practices, it needs careful implementation in training contexts. For example, she suggested first-year registrars may benefit from delaying telehealth exposure until they are more confident and require less supervision.
Associate Professor James Brown, RACGP Director of Medical Education, said the study demonstrates the importance of practice-focused research during disruptive times, helping ensure high-quality GP training continues despite major changes in care delivery.
For more information or to access the full article, contact the RACGP GP Training team.
https://www1.racgp.org.au/
Source: RACGP
