Spotlight: New GPs
Starting work as a sessional GP is a thrilling yet daunting time for even the most self-assured individuals. Dr Saheli Chaudhury offers her top ten tips for newly-qualified GPs
1. Don’t be afraid to ask
GPs are a friendly bunch and excellent communication is the key to being a good GP
As a GP registrar, you had the support of those training you, and it’s daunting to feel that you’re suddenly on your own. However, remember that you are part of a team, and can still ask for help. GPs are a friendly bunch and excellent communication is the key to being a good GP. There will always be things you don’t know, especially in a new practice. You never stop learning – if you don’t know something, you must ask a senior.
2. Know the ropes
One of the difficult things about working as a new locum can be moving between different practices, where initially you are unfamiliar with how everything works – even locating where things are can be a challenge. Before you start, contact the practice and ask if they have a locum pack. As an absolute minimum, you should know where the emergency equipment is kept.
As a new salaried GP, ideally you should get a period of induction. It is important to set aside time to sit with practice staff, to identify who is responsible for what.
3. Accept your limits
The BMA offers advice on employment law and has created a framework of what is expected of you and your employer. If you feel that you are expected to do too much, then it is important to discuss this with the practice in order that the requisite changes can be made to ensure that there is no risk to patients.
4. Learn from your mistakes
Making mistakes can be just as important as your successes
Making mistakes can be just as important as your successes. A reflective journal is helpful, and this process is now encompassed in appraisals.
If you receive a complaint from a patient, it can be difficult and upsetting, but you should try to use complaints as a learning opportunity, and highlight areas where you could benefit in terms of your professional development.
5. Networking
Being a GP can be very isolating, which can be a shock after the camaraderie of hospital medicine. It’s important to maintain a circle of friends in and out of the profession that you know you can talk to. Attend meetings, courses and training events – these are not only good for your continuing professional development, but they are ideal for seeing your friends and networking.
6. Work as a team
During busy periods where the practice is under pressure, it’s easy to forget to be kind and polite
In a busy general practice environment, it can be hard to keep morale up in the face of demanding workloads. You may find staff confiding in you or coming to you for help – sometimes it’s easier to approach you than a partner. During busy periods where the practice is under pressure, it’s easy to forget to be kind and polite.
It is during these times when it is especially important to cultivate team-working: try to be supportive of each other.
7. Record-keeping
Continuity of care can be more difficult as a sessional GP, particularly if you work part-time or locum sessions. If you are working as a locum, leave your details with the practice manager so that if there are any learning outcomes from your involvement in a case, they can contact you.
Remember to document home visits
Be proactive and email or “task” one of the other regular doctors at the practice if there is a particular patient whom you think needs follow-up. This is where a clearly-documented management plan becomes more important than ever.
Remember to document home visits: it’s easy to go into afternoon surgery and forget to write up lunchtime visits and even easier to forget to write up evening home visits.
8. Timekeeping
Don’t rely on your Sat Nav to direct you to your home visit if you’re out in the sticks – I’ve learnt this through personal experience
Remember that timekeeping can be more difficult as a locum, particularly in a new practice, as you may not know how everything works. You may wish to schedule in “catch up” slots to help with this. Telephone triage is an increasingly useful tool for patients to access their GP.
However, it can be a very demanding session, so ensure that you pay due care and attention to each case, and are not pressured to get through unrealistic volumes of calls in limited time frames.
Home visits are time-consuming and it can be stressful if you get lost. Plan where you are going beforehand: print off a Google map if necessary and don’t rely on your Sat Nav to direct you to your home visit if you’re out in the sticks – I’ve learnt this through personal experience.
9. Mentorship
The RCGP is developing an initiative to support new GPs from the point where they complete their training to their point of revalidation, as there is clearly a need for mentorship and support post-qualification.
The NASGP is a valuable source of advice, and it’s also worth belonging to a local young doctors’ group, if there is one in your area.
10. Housekeeping
Dr Roger Neighbour emphasises the importance of “housekeeping” and recognising when you need to take a break between consultations. His book The Inner Consultation is a must-read. It can be as simple as stopping to check lablinks and emails on the computer, and taking ten minutes away from these relentless pressures to eat your lunch.
Dr Chaudhury is a GP partner. She has been qualified for four years, and worked as a locum before becoming a partner.