Starting GP Training soon? Read this.
So many IMGs will be commencing their GP training in the coming weeks. Read how you can prepare yourself for a smooth start to training..
Many people will be starting their GP training in about six weeks. This fills us with nervous excitement. I remember feeling the same when I started my training a few years ago. I’ll touch on things I wish I had known when I started training so as to reduce the nervous stress one can feel. This is the first in a series of posts in the coming weeks on GP training. This series will cover topics like:
ePortfolio and how to build it
Different types of GP
GP Salaries
MRCGP Exams
Do subscribe to the newsletter so you don’t miss out on future newsletters in the coming weeks!
What should I expect in my first few weeks in GP training?
This question is probably on every trainee’s mind if they have never worked in general practice before and/or are new to the U.K. and starting GP training. The most important thing to remember is that GP training is one of the most supportive training programs in the health system. There is a lot of emphasis on well being of the trainees.
Depending on your Deanery and rotations you might start training with either a Hospital rotation or a GP rotation first. The first 2-3 weeks in your GP rotation are induction (yes! This is how long GP induction can go). You sit in with a few GPs in their clinics a few days, then sit in with the practice nurse and HCA, the secretaries and sometimes the receptionists. It is such a good time to familiarise yourself with the various roles in GP and see some friendly faces, too. I highly recommend using this time to become friendly and familiar with as much people as possible as you’ll be working with them everyday – secretaries, receptionists, HCAs and other GPs – all part of #TeamGP.
Will I have Supervisors?
You will have a named Educational Supervisor (ES) for the entire duration of the training and a named Clinical Supervisor (CS) for each rotation who will usually be from the department you’re working in. You will also have a named Training Program Director (TPD). You will have frequent weekly tutorials with your CS and a meeting with your ES a couple of times a year. At the end of each rotation the CS will do a CS Review (CSR) after which the ES will do an ES Review (ESR) and at the end of every training year you will have an Annual Review of Competency Progression (ARCP) where the panel will decide if you’re okay to proceed to the next year of training based on the supervisor reviews and portfolio requirements.
What is an ePortfolio?
You will be given access to an eportfolio for the duration of the training. It is called Fourteen Fish. There are certain requirements of the portfolio that you need to complete before progressing to the next training year. Most of this revolves around entering learning log entries. This is like writing down in a journal about your experiences during training with some mandatory components and requirements. For people who love writing this is a fantastic time to jot down how your experience with the clinical cases was, what you learned from it and a lot more other things. You will also record you assessments (Case Based Discussions CBDs, Consultation Observation Tool COTs, and mandatory clinical examinations among other things). I will do a separate post on the ePortfolio in this series.
What can I do to prepare for GP training?
First things first – make sure you take some annual leave before starting training if you’re switching to training from a non training job. Starting training refreshed is ideal.
Things you can do to prepare for your GP rotation:
1. Skim through Oxford Handbook of GP and look at common presentations in GP
2. Look up NICE CKS guidelines on common cases like DM, HTN, Asthma.
3. Google ‘York VOY RSS’ – this is the referral support service for a few areas in North Yorkshire. It will help you understand what sort of referral pathways exist in GP regardless of where you’re training.
4. Get familiar with websites you will regularly signpost your patients to: Versus Arthritis, IAPT, MIND UK, and many others.
The next newsletter will focus on the ePortfolio and how you can make efficient learning log entries. Subscribe below if you don’t want to miss it!
NHS Discount Offers!
Here are some of the latest NHS discount offers for NHS staff - see if anything takes your fancy!
20% discount at JD Sports on trainers and men’s, women’s and children’s clothing!
BT Fiber Broadband - £29.99 a month + £100 virtual reward card
easyJet holidays - £25 NHS discount
Don’t forget the next issue will be on the ePortfolio for GP Training - keep an eye on your inbox for the next newsletter!