Welcome back, and hopefully, you enjoyed the last blog post. In this blog post, I have decided to reflect on my journey as a fully qualified GP. Since qualifying as a GP 1 year ago, I started as a locum doctor and became a salaried GP. Basically, for some stability and job security, I have done that for close to a year now and I have found a routine that works perfectly. Deciding on what to do after completing training is a challenging one, and I do not envy anyone currently in the process of making that decision. This post reflects on my journey so far and I hope that my little experience would help anyone deciding to go into GP training, in training, or about to complete training. I feel experiences shared go a long way in helping someone.
In doing this, I will ask myself four essential questions:
Am I fulfilled? The answer is YES! but there is still much more to achieve. I feel fulfilled because I did this for myself. I chose this path because it is the best fit for me personally and gives me the opportunity of flexibility. Flexibility to plunge into bigger things and ample opportunities. So, this leaves me fulfilled as a GP.
What Next? As I said, becoming a GP allows me to do as much as I want. I have recently signed up for a very exciting diploma, one of the starts of big things for me, and I am open to more exciting opportunities. At the moment, I am still discovering the best path to take, but there is no stopping just yet.
Would I do this again? Absolutely. I will do this again because this specialty has allowed me to be the best version of myself. I can do anything I decide to. It gives me work-life balance because, as a mum of 2 young children, I have to be present at this significant phase of their lives. I also have to create time to look after myself and my home, and this specialty has allowed me to do so.
What struggles have I faced? The initial struggles I faced were: negotiating a good contract, understanding the scope of working independently and finding the best team to work with. Right now, I am grateful for what I currently have, the position I have placed myself in, and the next big opportunity. There are good days and absolutely rubbish days, but I have created a routine that does magic for me. I feel confident and find the best ways to deal with work-related pressure.
Some of the things to think about when considering the path to becoming a GP or considering a switch are:
Workload: It is no doubt that everyone thinks the job of a GP is relatively easy, but it isn't. The work comes with many administrative duties, and dealing with multiple specialties can be challenging. The workload can be overwhelming, mainly because it is more of an independent appointment than working in a team like in secondary care. This is one of the many reasons most GPs only work part-time. An average of 1500-2000 patients are registered under a GP as they're named GP, so you can imagine the administrative duties that come with being a GP.
Contract: Consider what you want, and write them down before signing any contract. Make good negotiations and do more than just what the next person is doing but what is suitable for you. Ask questions, shop around and if possible locum for some time before making that big decision to sign a contract.
Support: A support system or support network would smoothly get you through the first year. This could either be colleagues, friends, or family.
Work-life balance: Right now, with everything going on, work-life balance isn't mainly on anyone's mind. However, this is very important. Do not sign a contract that overwhelms you. Create a routine with your well-being in mind. It takes a healthy doctor to look after someone.
Opportunities: There are lots of opportunities out there for GPs. It doesn't have to be the traditional model of doing things, you can create a path that works for you. Do your research and settle for what you love.
If you think about these clearly, you will have an essential guide on deciding for you and not just for anyone.
Do not foregt to book a consultation with me if you need a clear guide on creating a career path. You can book here CAREER CONSULTATION – Berrysmotivation by Dr Mute'
2 comments
Thanks Dami for reading and leaving a comment. Glad you liked it.
Mute x
Thank you for sharing this.