Assessing Medical Officers' Interest and Determinants for Enrolling in Postgraduate Diploma Program in General Practice: A Cross-Sectional Study

In Malaysia, primary healthcare plays a critical role in overall healthcare performance, provided by both the public and private sectors. However, many Medical Officers (MOs) and General Practitioners (GPs) lack postgraduate qualifications in general practice, which may affect the quality of primary care services. To address this gap, a Postgraduate Diploma Program in General Practice (PGDGP) was planned as an alternative to a master's degree in family medicine. This study aimed to assess MOs' interest in enrolling in the PGDGP and identify associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to August 2022, involving 171 participants via an online Google platform. Results: The response rate was 85.5%, with most participants female (63.7%), predominantly Malay, with over five years of work experience, primarily from the central region, and mostly government doctors. A significant proportion (72%) were at the M20 level, and 69% expressed interest in pursuing higher education. Over 85% expressed a desire to upgrade their skills and knowledge, while over two-thirds considered their current skills and knowledge inadequate and were interested in the PGDGP. Factors such as personal monthly income, future job plans, desire for knowledge enhancement, interest in the field, family influence, and self-upgrading were significantly associated with interest in the PGDGP. Overall, these findings highlight practical implications for developing and promoting the PGDGP among MOs in Malaysia