Happy Sunday my lovelies.
It’s the end of the week and I have just completed my first GP (general practice) placement (immersion week). My immersion week took place at GP practice and overall was such an insightful week. There are so many assumptions of what a GP does or doesn’t do and being in the practice with them for several days helped curb those assumptions and provided me with a newfound respect for the speciality.
I have always said I don’t want to be a GP as I felt that it was boring and didn’t require much work. But boy was I wrong. In case you do not know what a GP is, they are known as generalists or in some older generations family doctor. In the UK a general practitioner is the first point of call when you are ill. They are diagnosticians and the gateway into receiving secondary or even tertiary care.
A GP practice is actually made up of more than just the GP and you often find other healthcare workers forming part of the team such as a practice nurse, healthcare assistants, pharmacists and much more. They all work together to deliver what is known as primary care. During my GP placement, I learned so much and had so many myths dispelled.
As you may know, COVID has changed everything. One of the biggest changes that are evident in GP practices is a reduction in face to face appointments. Instead, COVID has forced a triage system where patients have a telephone consultation first. Following the telephone consultation, they are either given a follow-up face to face appointment or provided with advice for self-care.
Before attending my placement I was convinced that telephone consultations would be boring and I would not be able to learn much from them. Once again I was wrong, speaking to patients virtually or over the phone is a completely different ball game. Gone are the cues that come with face to face contacts such as body language and facial expression. Instead, you find yourself having to focus on the tone of the patient’s voice as well as the words that they use.
It was interesting to hear that the GP’s didn’t feel that they were doing more or having to work harder to diagnose but were instead shifting their focus on the cues they were taking to be able to understand what the patient needed and how they could help.
Although I listened to quite a few telephone consultations I was fortunate to also catch glimpses of face to face consultations. I did not think that GP’s could carry out procedures within the practice, but yet again I was wrong. I saw an abscess being popped, removal of a contraceptive coil and a couple of wound dressings.
Completing my GP placement really revived my excitement for my studies as it was slowly dwindling due to being stuck behind my screen all day. It brought back the reason I was here and I left my first day grinning like a Cheshire Cat.
Although it was a tiring week, I left feeling refreshed. I had the opportunity to connect classroom learning with the practical. It is a privilege to be able to shadow some of the staff and really gain insight into their practice and the patients they see. I am grateful to the patients who let me stay in the consulting room during their visits as they’re not obliged to.
Throughout the week I had the opportunity to shadow a practice nurse, a pharmacist and be a part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT). This gave insight into the reality of medicine. It is a team sport and we all work together towards the common goal of improving patients health.
Now to share my 3 key takeaways during my first week of GP placement:
- You get out as much as you put in – If you attend placement with the mindset that you’re going to learn and that you will seize every learning opportunity that comes your way you will really experience that. What you learn and who you learn from may not be what you had envisioned but remaining open is key. There are lessons everywhere.
- Ask questions and more questions – I’m quite reserved and honestly, sometimes I hate asking questions until I have all the facts, but then what is the point of asking questions? However, referencing my first key takeaway I asked a lot of questions and it really enhanced my learning. I found myself getting a better understanding of the patient and certain diseases. Furthermore, asking questions helps solidify your learning. One of my questions even caused the GP to review a case and the treatment options he had given. So do not be afraid to ask questions. Nothing is too silly or too small, the staff are there to help you learn and advance your training. Make sure you use them during your placement.
- Have fun – No seriously have fun! You are embarking on such an amazing journey. What is the point if you’re not going to have fun and enjoy the experience? Obviously, have fun within reason and with professional constraints in place, but interact with the patients, be friendly with the staff and smile.
Until next time,
Koko xo
