Abstract: Objective To investigate the needs for general practitioner (GP) training in primary care institutions in Shigatse, Tibet. Methods From March to June 2022, an online survey was conducted in 204 primary care institutions in Shigatse, Tibet Autonomous Region, covering eight categories, including basic information, clinical skills training needs, and community chronic disease management skills training needs and so on. The χ² test was used to analyze the differences in training needs of GPs with different characteristics. Results Among the 275 valid questionnaires collected, 195 (70.9%), 186 (67.6%) and 216 (78.6%) had higher training needs for ″debridement, suturing, fracture fixation, etc.″ , ″clinical thought in general practice″ and ″hypertension management″. There were statistically significant differences in training needs for puncture, catheterization, and indwelling gastric tube among GPs with different working years (103 GPs with less than 5 years, 62 GPs with 5 years and above, P=0.001), and statistically significant differences in training needs for Chinese (Tibetan) medicine (TCM) techniques among GPs with different education levels (25 less than bachelor's degree, 138 bachelor's degree and above, P=0.046).And the difference in needs such as chronic kidney disease management among GPs in different practice categories was statistically significant (108 practicing physicians and 31 practicing assistant physicians, P=0.001). Conclusions In the Shigatse prefecture of Tibet, GPs have extensive and diverse training demands due to a variety of factors. A targeted training program should be implemented in accordance with the features of the plateau region and the GPs' practice categories, working years, and educational background.

Key words: General practitioners, Tibet autonomous region, Primary care facilities, Training needs