General Practice as a Career vision value variety

What is a GP? A general practitioner (GP) is a medical practitioner who treats acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education for all ages and all sexes. They have particular skills in treating people with multiple health issues and co-morbidities. "The good GP will treat patients both as people and as a population". Ann Leck and Ian Leck (1987), What is a good GP?, British Medical Journal, 294 (6568), 351-2.

Eligible for Fellowship How to become a GP MEDICAL SCHOOL F’NDAT’N PROG GP TRAINING QUALIFIED GP YR 1 YR 2 YR 3 YR 4 YR 5 FY1 FY 2 ST 1 ST 2 ST 3 STUDENT FORUM ASSOCIATE IN TRAINING MEMBER (First5) Eligible for Fellowship

GP Training Facts Over 3,000 students are expected to become GP trainees by July 2013 RCGP currently has over 10,000 ‘Associates in Training’ across ST1 – ST3 RCGP Student Network has over 1,200 members who take advantage of our advice and signposting resources

Why become a GP? Generalist Continuity of care Work-life balance Breadth Special interest Autonomy People not body parts Generalist Variety A doctor interested in general practice should be interested in Providing life-long care Having breadth of knowledge over depth People not their parts Patients’ backgrounds, their environments, their culture, their beliefs Working autonomously for most of the day A good work-life balance

Generalism with specialism Cardiology Dermatology and skin surgery Diabetes Epilepsy Genetics Headache Learning disabilities Mental health Older people Pain management Palliative care Respiratory Sexual health Substance misuse Endoscopy Safeguarding children

Opportunities Clinical practice – partners, salaried, sessional Academic – teaching, training, research Special clinical interests – many! Service development– practice, commissioning Professional representation - RCGP, LMCs Travel – work abroad, any part of U.K…. …All about leadership!

Academic Opportunities University Department Teaching undergraduates Research and higher degrees Deaneries – GP training Extended training ST4 – will include quality improvement and leadership skills Some academic training posts

Opportunities Abroad NGOs incl VSO. Ships Doctor- cruise liners Australia After F2-pros and cons After VTS- more options-locum/hospital/RFDS/OOH NGOs incl VSO. Ships Doctor- cruise liners Study abroad- eg MBA Many other opportunities..

Leadership Roles CCG Roles and Lead Clinical Roles LAT Medical Directors Research hosts and leads

Representing General Practice RCGP BMA LMC/GPC

The Future Independent Contractor or Salaried GP Led Health Centres Return of Commissioning More diagnostics More Community based care Greater numbers of GPs Increased technology offering new community opportunities

How can the RCGP help?

Support from RCGP AiT Committee

For further information RCGP Membership Initiatives Email: students@rcgp.org.uk Join the RCGP Student/Foundation networks for free ongoing support and resources