10 Things You Need To Know About A GP (Family Physician) in the U.K

The term General Practitioner (GP) is rather broad and may sound vague to many people. A GP is a jack of many trades, in addition to being a family physician who treats acute or chronic illnesses. Also, a GP provides preventive care and health education to patients of all ages. A General Practitioner (GP) is a medical doctor who provides primary healthcare services to patients in the community. GPs are often the first point of contact for people seeking medical help for non-emergency illnesses and health concerns. They are trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of health conditions and are responsible for managing their patients' overall health and well-being.

GPs provide a variety of medical services, including preventative care, health education, diagnosis and treatment of illnesses, and management of chronic health conditions. They may also refer patients to specialists or other healthcare professionals when necessary.

GPs are an important part of the healthcare system and play a critical role in promoting health and preventing illness. They work closely with other healthcare professionals such as nurses, pharmacists, and specialists to ensure that patients receive the best possible care.

In today’s blog post, I will highlight the life of a GP and what it takes to become one.

10 Things In The Life Of A GP

1. The Training: GP training typically takes at least 3 years to complete and involves a combination of hospital and community-based placements. This time may be longer for some people because of vacations, maternity leaves, or other circumstances. The training is overseen by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) in the UK. This extensive training makes GPs specialists in their field and some of the best-trained professionals in any industry.
2. More About The Training: During GP training, trainees will develop skills in a wide range of areas, including diagnosing and treating illnesses, prescribing medication, managing chronic conditions, and providing preventive care.
3. Still On The training: GP training also includes a focus on developing communication skills, as GPs often have to provide emotional support to patients and families, as well as explain complex medical information in an understandable way.
4. The Job: GPs are responsible for providing comprehensive primary care to their patients, which means they must be able to address a wide range of health issues, from minor illnesses to chronic conditions. GPs also have a key role in promoting health and preventing illness through activities such as health screening, immunisations, and lifestyle advice.
5. The Workload: The workload of a GP can be demanding, with long hours and a high volume of patients to see each day. GPs may also be required to work out-of-hours, including weekends and evenings. However, there are several ways a GP can practice, including working as a GP surgery or a salaried GP. A GP can also work as a partner which involves running a private practice. In addition, one can be a locum GP which frees the GP to work on their own time and only when they want to.
6. The Opportunities: GPs may work in a variety of settings, including traditional GP practices, community health centers, and hospitals. GPs can also visit patients that are too frail to leave their homes but have non-urgent cases that do not need a hospital admission. In addition to their clinical work, GPs may also be involved in research, teaching, and leadership roles within healthcare organizations. Furthermore, GPs carry out many administrative tasks, including fitness to drive reviews, sick notes, and sometimes a letter to housing officials regarding a patient's situation.
7. The Requirements: To become a GP in the UK, you must complete GP training and pass a few medical exams, including the MRCGP exam. GPs must also be registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) and participate in ongoing professional development to maintain their registration. Many medical students may find these exams difficult, as many have had to retake them. However, with constant practice and studying, anyone can pass the exams in one take.
8. The Complexity Of It all: GPs deal with many things, but most importantly, they can make the big decisions on whether a case needs to be dealt with urgently or if it needs to be sent to another specialist. GPs investigate the root causes of different diseases and manage very complex cases.
9. Alliances: Allied health professionals and anyone can seek advice from a GP regarding a patient or medication.
10. The Fulfilment: Despite the challenges, many GPs find their work rewarding, as they are able to build long-term relationships with patients and make a positive impact on their health and wellbeing.

Hope you had fun reading this. 

Best Wishes.