GPs as medical educators--an Australian train-the-trainer program.

Background: General practitioners undertake ongoing education in many areas. A train-the-trainer (TTT) approach may be an option for facilitation of continuing professional development (CPD) activities.

Methods: With the aim of training GPs to facilitate peer CPD activities, Monash University's Department of General Practice undertook a national TTT program on men's sexual and reproductive health. Over a 3 year period, 40 'GP trainers' were trained to facilitate education sessions on the topics of androgen deficiency, erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer and male infertility for 568 GPs from 33 Australian divisions of general practice.

Results: Evaluation of this program showed that GP trainers were a valuable resource for conducting training programs for GPs, being experienced role models who could provide relevant and practical training to their colleagues.

Discussion: While resource intensive, the TTT model provided an effective means of improving GP knowledge and clinical practice on men's sexual and reproductive health.