Abstract: The workforce of general practitioners (GPs) is the core component and cornerstone of primary care system, which is essential for the development of family doctor contract model and the tiered health care system to maintain and promote the people’s health. This article analyzed the challenges in building up the GP workforce from the perspective of medical training. Proposals were provided on the integration of GP training in the“5+3”long-term clinical medicine education as follows: ① The integration of GP training in the“5+3”long-term education is mainly oriented to training qualified GPs; ② The 3-year GP residency training in the“5+3”long-term education will focus on learning knowledge and clinical skills relevant to general practice; ③ Academic development of general practice and policy guidelines should be promoted to increase the proportion of medical students who choose GP residency training; ④ Reform in the degree system of clinical medicine education should be facilitated to simplify the channel of clinical degree application in residency training. Doctor of medicine (MD) might be conferred upon completion of GP residency training and achievement of medical practice license. For trainees who have special interest in research in general practice, further education to promote research skills for pursuing doctor of philosophy (PhD) can be provided. Competencies in special areas based on the patients’ needs and the GP’s interest can be developed through continuing medical education.

Key words: general practice,  general practitioner,  training,  education system,  medical education