Careers for General Practitioners

"Possibly the best job in the world"

Professor David Haslam, PRCGP

Welcome to what we truly believe is the best job in the world. In an era of profound negativity here lies the truth about your value as the generalist. This part of the site is currently designed to give you a taster of the vast opportunities open to you now as a General Practitioner. It is intended to be personal views of many General Practitioners and it does not represent the view of the RCGP.  We hope it stimulates your thought and curiosity to read further around each of the career paths as it is not a comprehensive list.

TIP: Regularly pop in and out of this. Each time you visit you will start to see something different. As you change, your circumstances change, your view of these pages are likely to change.

Structure

The categories have been split into clinical and non-clinical careers. As some of these careers can be both, there is an overview below of the contents for you to be able to browse quickly and find your calling.

Short History of Careers for General Practitioners

Change, change and change. These have been the words of General Practitioners for over a centrury now. Change represents the only constant in the profession. The College provides great historical pages around where the profession was. This is a more contemporary journey over how careers have changed over the last 10 years through the eyes of GPs escaping the politics or rationale for change.

1998: Main roles were being a partner, a salaried General Practitioner or a freelance (locum). The perceptions were that salaried General Practitioners were the best paid, best work conditions and less work. Few GPs ventured out of the usual. Those who did would typically link it with Deanery 'teaching' related roles. Fewer would be GPs outside of these.

2003: The new contract was coming in with scepticism. Many GPs were not sure the impact this would have and were still thinking salaried was a better option. Freelance work was the trendy freespirited approach. A shortage of GPs meant the government had a hand out of 'golden hello' money for higher professional education and lots of incentives.

2008: Partners of old have stayed in their roles as the salaries increased, work conditions improved with the loss of hours. Salaried conditions have decreased with pay comparatively low and freelance work the norm of any new finisher. With a whole raft of change of employment for GPs work was harder to find and many were turning to other opportunities.

The cycle will change and greater opportunities will arise. A feast or famine approach to the NHS has always been present. During this temporary famine it is time to put the 'crash helmet on and seek the opportunities' (Dr. Rebecca Viney, Associate Director, London Deanery: March 2008). Those of you entering general practice will feel the proverbial guinea pigs to change but I assure you, you will be the best equipped for the new era ahead. Ensure you are ready. Please use this site to equip yourself. Other useful guides are present on many local deanery websites.

Overview

For ease of classification these are the broad 2 categories you can click onto below or find on the top left of the page.

Clinical: Freelance (locum work), salaried, partnership, deanery career scheme, out of hours, urgent care, GP with a special interest, clinical assistant, private GP, Benefits (Occupational) Work, Prison, Police (Forensic Medical Examiner) Doctor, Armed Forces, Charity Doctor, Ships (Ferry) Doctor, PBC Clinical Lead, Medico-legal

Non-clinical: Deanery careers, LMC, Medical Writing, Media, PCT Advisor, Acute Trust Advisor, Pharmaceutical Industry

Dr. Muhammed Ali

Portfolio General Practitioner

Chair of the London Faculties GP Training Committee, RCGP

June 2008