Working in general practice
Whether it be to help ‘close the gap’, to travel, or to explore a new and exciting vocation, many of our members report that the diversity of general practice provides a unique, challenging and rewarding workplace, one where they can make a real difference in the lives of their patients and communities.
Working in general practice is different to working in a hospital and also different to working in many other specialties. Working in the community, GPs often see a patient in the early stages of an illness when the problem is undifferentiated. Not knowing what the next patient might present with and dealing with undifferentiated problems is challenging – but is also one of the most rewarding aspects of general practice. GPs also manage an enormous variety of different problems and conditions, requiring a broad span of knowledge so you’ll never get bored – no two days or patient presentations are the same.
Being based in the community, the access to services and investigations can be different to that of a hospital. GPs get to know what is available and how to support their patients to access help; this requires knowledge of the individual patient, their circumstances and their community.