79

The quality control circle approach to professional development is becoming popular with doctors in general practice. The quality control circle’s peer-based reflexive practice is perfectly suited for professionals, who, for all their experience, must keep up to date with scientific and technological advances.The Vouziers Group, based in Ardennes, France, has practiced this form of evaluation for fifteen years and demonstrated its efficacy, with fewer medically necessary drug prescriptions. The professional draw also been rising among these rural-based practices.More than half of the issues discussed by the group are psychiatric in nature: the withdrawal of benzodiazepines; trialing a new diagnostic for early signs of dementia; acute grief; unrecognized medical disorders. The doctors have been dealing with issues faced every day by psychiatrists, and they recognize that they require a professional expertise of next resort, but so far, they have not been able to obtain it.