10 Minute Consultation: Dr Imran Rafi

Why did you choose to be a GP?

I always knew that I wanted to maintain an academic post alongside seeing patients, and general practice offers the flexibility and support to do this.

What's the best thing about being a GP?

Working with some wonderful people, colleagues and patients alike. I’ve been so grateful to have worked with fantastic colleagues from primary and secondary care during my career as well as experts in many other areas of healthcare.

What's the most frustrating thing about being a GP?

Underinvestment in our service. With the appropriate resources, GPs could do great things – delivering quality care, organising healthcare pathways and patient centred care through innovation.

What are you most proud of in your career?

Learning about genetics and genomics has been fascinating, particularly when thinking about what it may mean for our patients and how we deal with the challenges in implementation. It’s been great to collaborate with other likeminded GPs, in particular Dr Jude Hayward, a Bradford GP who has a national genomics education role. We are both College co-representatives in genomic medicine.

How did it feel to receive an MBE in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours List?

I am beyond honoured and humbled and as excited as my children, I never thought it would be possible. I’m really looking forward to receiving the award in November.

What has been the most important lesson you have learnt during your career?

Listen carefully, you may only get one chance.

What is the biggest challenge for current GPs?

I’ll re-frame that. I think it’s important to think about what opportunities can be created which will enable new and existing GPs to enjoy their jobs and their calling to medicine.

Why do you think it's important to be a College member?

It allows you to access fantastic CPD, the ability to work within College networks and the opportunity to become a College representative or to join Council. It is fascinating to be able to shape policy, Faculty work and much more.

What would you be if you weren't a GP?

If I hadn’t studied medicine, I would likely have become a computer programmer, hopefully working on electronic health records and decision support working alongside GPs.