Links between academics and doctors 'essential'

Strong links between academics and grassroots GPs are 'essential for the future' of general practice, a King's Fund study has concluded. The study found that medical education had 'changed little over the past 100 years', and a new partnership was needed to combat 'falling public confidence' and 'growing responsibilities' for health promotion and commissioning healthcare. King's Fund primary care programme director Dr Stephen Gillam said the introduction of clinical governance meant 'partnerships between education and service' would be 'key to ensuring continual quality improvement in primary care'.