1. General Practice as a Career vision value variety

2. 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),

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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!

8. 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

9. 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..

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

11. Representing General Practice
RCGP
BMA
LMC/GPC

12. 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

13. How can the RCGP help?

14. Support from RCGP
AiT Committee

15. For further information
RCGP Membership Initiatives
Join the RCGP Student/Foundation networks for free ongoing support and resources