This is an overview of General Practice (GP) training. What to expect, how to navigate your way through, and complete your training at the expected time.
GP training is the pathway for fully qualified medical doctors to complete a speciality training programme. This programme trains doctors to become General Practitioners or Family doctors in the UK. It is a 3-year training programme running from ST1- ST3. In ST1, which is the first year of training, you do some hospital rotations. These rotations can take you from emergency to internal medicine or even surgery. Although some people argue that it is irrelevant to their training, the experience may come in handy in primary care.
When I did my training, it was 18 months of secondary care rotations and 18 months of primary care rotations. Many people argue about the relevance of spending so much time in secondary care when most of their need is primary care experience. Due to these arguments, some deaneries have now transitioned to 12 months in secondary care and 24 months in primary care.
Getting Into Training
First you have to meet the eligibility criteria which basically is being fully registered with the general medical council with 2 years of working experience. Meaning you should have completed both foundation year 1 and 2 by the start date of your training. The next step will be to take the 2 stage assessment exams. If you are successful in both, you get offered a place in training. The process of getting into training needs to be broken down in steps and I will do that in a separate blog post.
There are two rounds of applications each year, and the deanery you apply to is crucial. Some deaneries are very supportive, which everyone, especially IMGs, needs. A supportive environment is essential because you do not want to get lost in the process. For more information and dates for application, see link here.
In-Training Exams And Assessments
There are two exams to take while in training; the Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) and the Recorded Consultation Assessment (RCA). The AKT is a multichoice computer-based exam, and you have to be in the second year of training (ST2) to take them. If you are unsuccessful or not prepared enough, you can certainly attempt the exam in your ST3. Retaking the AKT in ST3 means that you will take the test in addition to the second exam, RCA. They are both very different exams which require different levels of preparation. I will talk about both exams in a different post, but you have to pass both exams to qualify as a GP fully.
In addition to these standard exams, there is something called the e-portfolio. The e-portfolio isn’t necessarily an exam, but it contains many assessments that count to your full qualification as a GP.
My Experience
I struggled a bit in my first year because I was still new to the system as an international medical graduate. I only spent seven months in a non-training job before I went into training. If I had known better, I would have spent more time in a non-training job to gain more experience.
The expectations in training are high, as you are expected to perform and function at consistently high levels. Non-training jobs give you the foundation to tackle training tasks later on. However, resilience kept me going, as I decided not to give up despite the hurdles. I had two babies in training and went on maternity leave twice, but I completed my training with determination and hard work. During my training, I rotated psychiatry, medicine of the elderly, and paediatrics before I finally went to primary care. I enjoyed psychiatry more, even though we did very little at the time when it came to interventions. I was lucky enough to finish all the secondary care rotations before going into GP. This was good for me because many people tend to find it difficult to shuffle between secondary and primary care in the middle of training.
Useful Resources For GP Training
The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) website should be your go-to for useful resources. They have many learning resources that will be useful for everyday practice and exam preparations. The RCGP support GPs in key areas, including licensing, education, training, research, and clinical standards.
Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners (MRCGP) is one of the UK's postgraduate medical qualifications. This qualification is an integrated training and assessment system that aims to provide excellent General Practice. If you have a license to practice and complete the MRCGP, you will be eligible for inclusion in the General Medical Council (GMC) register.
Lastly
GP training is often underestimated, as many people struggle for many reasons. The numerous exams can be daunting, and being in a somewhat difficult environment can worsen the situation, especially for international medical graduates. While the rigorous training process can be overwhelming, it is not impossible to overcome. To succeed and finish at the expected time, you need support, motivation, resilience, and hard work. It is best to prepare mentally and emotionally well ahead of time.
Are you completing soon, or have you completed your training and are unsure of what to do? You will find useful tips and ideas on what to expect after GP training here Also, if you need help and guidance on a path to take or finding it difficult in medicine, book a consultation with me. I help young health care professionals navigate a clear career path.
Cheers
Dr Mute'