| Abstract: | This paper describes two courses which train general practitioners (GPs) in generic family therapy skills applicable to consultations with individuals, couples or families in the general practice setting, and to patients with physical or psychological problems. Based on feedback from previous participants, eight topics were identified and described as useful. These are stressors, genograms, problem clarification, options, involvement of patients, reflection on interventions, recognition of an interactive cycle and review of treatment. General practitioners' skills in these areas can be assessed by asking them to respond in writing to two case vignettes, featuring respectively an individual, and a mother‐child dyad. These vignettes have been piloted in previous family therapy courses for GPs and are written as typical presentations to a GP. We give examples of pre and post‐course responses of GPs undertaking a short or long course, present and discuss quantitative assessment of learning objectives using structured criteria scored from 0–10, and include excerpts from a six month follow up. |
