What is GP Training?
Training to become a General Practitioner (GP) in the UK is similar to what’s known as residency in family medicine in other parts of the world.
A GP in the UK is a doctor who has completed their foundation years (FY1 and FY2), which are like internship years, and then goes through three years of specialized training. GPs, or family doctors in the NHS, handle non-emergency health issues in the community and are usually the first point of contact before patients see specialists for more complex conditions.
Misconceptions about GPs
Many people think GPs aren't specialists, but that's not true. GPs are specialists in general health issues and are trained to manage both acute and chronic conditions across all major body systems. They also handle a lot of administrative tasks like health screenings, signing off work absences, and completing death certificates. Most GPs work for the NHS, some work independently, and others work for private organizations. One of the best advantages of being a GP is the flexibility it offers, allowing you to run a business, work in other specialties, or even pursue a hobby.
The Training Path
To become a GP, you need to train in both secondary care (like hospitals) and primary care (like clinics). This involves a series of assessments, including two major exams: the AKT and SCA (formerly known as the CSA and RCA). You'll also be assessed by a clinical supervisor and need to log evidence of your learning in an electronic portfolio. These requirements must be completed within three years for full-time trainees, or longer if you apply to train part-time. This means that within the given time, you must complete all exams and e-portfolio assessments and then be signed off as competent.
The Challenges of GP Training
To excel in GP training, one must first understand the challenges that could be faced in the three short but intense years of training. An insight into the challenges will help you understand ways to achieve success in GP training.
Despite being a three-year program, compared to the six to eight years for other specialties, GP training is not easy and can be underestimated. Many trainees struggle in their first two years or throughout the training, with some needing extended training. Here are some reasons why:
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Lack of Experience: It's expected that you have some experience in most specialties from medical school or your foundation years. A lack of experience in a specialty could affect your confidence during that rotation and ultimately affect your overall performance at the end of that rotation. Some people might struggle to be signed off as competent, leading to extensions or poor outcomes in your Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP).
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Exam Difficulties: The AKT and SCA exams cover a wide curriculum and require significant preparation. Leaving them until the last minute or poor preparation could set you off into panic mode and cause lots of exam anxiety. To successfully complete training, these exams must be passed. The good thing about the exams is that it is either a pass or fail. All you need is to achieve the required percentage even if you are on the border, but you should aim for more. Failing these exams or having multiple attempts could delay your training.
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Distractions: As you get older, life gets busier with things like family, children, and personal issues like health or finances. These distractions can take your focus away from training. Distractions are inevitable sometimes, but managing these distractions could go a long way. Anticipate the distractions and plan for them.
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Lack of a Support Network: Some trainees don’t have a support network to help them through the demanding GP training. This can leave them feeling isolated or struggling to balance home responsibilities and their training. A support network could be anyone from friends, family, or local communities. Whether you are a private individual or someone who loves to keep to themselves, a reliable support network/system is very necessary.
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Lack of Information: While there is information available to help with training, some people may not be aware of useful exam resources, training courses, or important updates that could help them succeed. As a general rule, the most successful person in life is the one who has the best information. This could be relative, but information, as we know, is key—not just any information, but the right information.
Challenges for International Medical Graduates
International medical graduates often face additional challenges due to different medical backgrounds and the new environment and culture in the UK. Skipping initial UK experience and jumping straight into GP training can be a mistake.
Conclusion
To survive and succeed in GP training, it's important to understand these challenges. In the next part of this blog, we'll explore strategies to overcome these issues.
In the meantime, check out our online shop for a range of wellbeing products like scented candles and gift boxes to help you relax and stay focused.
Cheers
Dr Mute'