The GP+ Careers Podcast

• 11: GP+ Training Programme Director with Dr Irene Afreh-Mensah

  In this month's episode we hear from Dr Irene Afreh-Mensah, a First5 GP whose work week is a variety of clinical work as a salaried GP, TPD and one day of Undergraduate teaching at the local University. Irene shares her experience in medical education to date, skills and qualities needed to be a TPD and advice for those hoping to follow a similar career path. If you're aspiring to become a TPD, there are several key steps and tips that can help you prepare for this leadership and educational role: Build a strong network - Networking is powerful as it gives you access to opportunities you may not be aware of otherwise e.g. job vacancies. Engaging with local and national training committees will help you to better understand the challenges and developments in medical education and training. Attending courses, conferences and workshops related to medical education will help you expand your networks and opportunities. Enhance your leadership skills - TPDs have a significant administrative and leadership role, so understanding how to manage teams, projects, and resources is essential. You might want to pursue leadership or management courses to strengthen your skills.  Irene advises that you consider what you do in your role now and the transferable skills. Could you within your clinical role maybe lead on a tutorial or give a teaching session where you can receive feedback? This demonstrates you are collating evidence of your commitment to education. Be Passionate About Medical Education - TPDs are often chosen for their passion for medical education. Demonstrate your enthusiasm for shaping the future of the profession through continuous learning, participation in teaching activities, and contributing to educational discussions. Irene states she has always been passionate about medical education. In her opinion, education is sharing of knowledge, and she's always wanted to give back and help others along their educational journey and help them to learn and develop. Carve your career path early - Irene advises that Post Graduate doctors take a step back from the idea that training is three years and focus solely on exams and CCT. She urges you to consider what your ideal career looks like and is there anything you can do during training that can help you work towards that. Before Irene started GP Training, she researched various job adverts options to supplement the training. Between ST1 and ST2 she undertook a clinical teaching role. This was a huge springboard for her while training to understand the field of medical education. Dr Irene Afreh-Mensah is a portfolio GP, who has a passion for medical education and women's health. Her working week is comprised of a salaried role, undergraduate teaching, and postgraduate teaching as a training programme director. She loves spending her downtime with friends and family, going hiking and trying new cuisines. Further reading General Practice Specialty Training guidance https://www.rcgp.org.uk/your-career/qualifying-as-a-gp/cct-guidance/training-guidance NHS jobs https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate Local Medical Committees https://www.bma.org.uk/what-we-do/local-medical-committees Tell us what you thought! Please take 2 minutes to complete the survey about this episode.

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• 10: GP+ Migrant Health with Dr Sarah Clark

  This month we hear from Dr Sarah Clark who works one day a week as a clinical assessor for Medical Justice. Medical Justice are a charity who work to support the health and legal rights for people who are held in immigration detention. Sarah outlines how she got into the role and what it involves and where you can find out more information. Top tips Provide Holistic patient care - When working with those held in immigration detention, it is important to consider the whole person in front of you, addressing both the physical and psychosocial aspects of your patient’s health. Migrants may face multiple stressors, including housing insecurity, lack of social support, or financial difficulties, which can affect their mental health too.  Manage the Emotional Impact - Working with migrant populations, especially those facing trauma can be emotionally taxing. Take time for self-care and seek professional support when needed. Sarah recommends taking some down time after the assessments. Medical Justice also offer groups with a psychotherapist that you are welcome to attend. They also offer six funded sessions of psychotherapy per year to support your mental wellbeing as a GP. Explore uncharted territory - If you are interested in getting involved, Sarah recommends attending one of the Medical Justice basics training days which are advertised on their website, usually held twice a year. Sarah encourages you to sign up to their mailing list to find out first about upcoming training dates. The training provides an overview of the work involved and an opportunity to decide if it is for you. There's no commitment as you can try a few assessments to see if it's something you want to pursue a career in. Do your research - Research the main charities websites who do this type of work such as Medical Justice, the Helen Bamber Foundation and read through statements from both patients and doctors who work for these charities. Some of the organisations host webinars where you can stay up to date on their website and social media channels for upcoming events to attend to get more information. Dr Sarah Clark is a GP in Bristol and has a portfolio role working with Medical Justice as a Clinical Assessor. Further reading Medical Justice website https://medicaljustice.org.uk/ Helen Bamber Foundation website https://www.helenbamber.org/ RCGP GPwER in Population Health and Health Inequalities Framework https://www.rcgp.org.uk/your-career/gp-extended-roles/population-health-inequalities-introduction RCGP Asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants  https://www.rcgp.org.uk/representing-you/policy-areas/asylum-seekers RCGP Health Inequities Hub and Health Equity Special Interest Group https://elearning.rcgp.org.uk/course/view.php?id=459 RCGP Mentoring https://www.rcgp.org.uk/your-career/gp-mentoring Migrant Health guide https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/migrant-health-guide Tell us what you thought! Please take 2 minutes to complete the survey about this episode.

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• 9: GP+ Working in Secure Environments with Dr Juli McCulloch

  In this month’s episode we hear from Dr Juli McCulloch, a First5 GP working in secure environments and secondary care addiction services. Juli provides valuable insights into working in a high security prison, how her personal interest attracted her to the role and the benefits of pursuing this specialist interest. If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected] and we are happy to put you in touch with Juli. Top tips Research the different types of secure environments - There are a range of secure environments you can work in as a GP including open prisons, higher security units, immigration detention centres, and more. Juli works in a high security men's prison but she urges you to consider the type of secure environments near to you that interest you. The job can be rewarding but emotionally demanding -Patients in these environments tend to have more complex needs and have experienced more trauma, often resulting in more mental health and substance use concerns. You need to consider how to care for yourself and your emotional resilience as well. Juli mixes prison shifts with a varied work week within a Portfolio career to protect herself from burnout.  Contacts are key - Juli highlighted that she secured an interview for her other role in substance misuse through her GP partner colleague, who had a contact in the local addiction services. Connect with GPs already working in secure environments to gain first-hand accounts of their experiences, join online forums, and seek out mentorship opportunities in this area. She found this route much easier and more informative than searching for job adverts and listed vacancies. Preserve human dignity and provide empathy - It’s important to always approach individuals in secure environments with empathy and respect, recognizing their vulnerability. Juli states that a simple, human connection can make a significant difference in their experience and well-being. Same but different - Juli highlights that she was not required to complete any additional qualifications to work in the prison environment. Although the structure and environment is different a lot of the day-to-day clinical work is exactly the same as that of your community GP clinics including chronic disease management, triaging patients, prescriptions for the pharmacists, and dealing with queries from the nurses. In Juli’s experience she also sees fewer patients per shift, allowing you to spend more time if the patient needs it.  Dr Juli McCulloch is a First5 GP working in Fife and Tayside. She divides her working week between a long-term locum GP post, a salaried post in secondary care addiction services, and a few shifts monthly at her local prison. Further reading RCGP Secure Environments hub https://elearning.rcgp.org.uk/course/view.php?id=561 RCGP Secure Environments elearning course https://elearning.rcgp.org.uk/enrol/index.php?id=560 RCGP Secure Environments group https://www.rcgp.org.uk/about/communities-groups/secure-environments RCGP Mentoring https://www.rcgp.org.uk/your-career/gp-mentoring BMA Forensic and secure environments committee https://www.bma.org.uk/what-we-do/committees/forensic-and-secure-environments-committee/forensic-and-secure-environments-committee-overview BMA Forensic and secure environments ethics toolkit https://www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/ethics/working-in-detention-settings/forensic-and-secure-environments-ethics-toolkit Tell us what you thought! Please take 2 minutes to complete the survey about this episode.

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• 8: GP+ Appraiser with Dr Nicky Wilson

  In this month’s episode our host Dr Sophie Lumley is joined by Dr Nicky Wilson, a GP appraiser since 2018. Nicky outlines her career journey so far, the skills required to be appraiser, benefits of the role and much more. Top tips:  Build a career to suit you – the role offers flexibility in terms of how many appraisals you want to take on each year (usually up to 22-24) and these can be done at a time that suits you and your appraisee. You also need to consider the time dedicated both before the appraisal for preparation and the write up afterwards in your overall time commitment. Seek inspiration from others – Nicky enjoys finding out what others are doing as part of their personal development plans (PDP) and is often inspired by their ideas for innovative practice and new ways of working. Some of these ideas may inspire you to make improvements in your own GP practice. Reach out to your local networks – if you want to become an appraiser, Nicky advises that you reach out to your local appraiser team about recruitment opportunities and application process. If you aren’t successful the first time – don’t give up! Ask for feedback and apply again. Consult with your colleagues – as an appraiser, Nicky states she was assigned a senior appraiser who she could seek advice from. She also attends small group meetings facilitated by experiences appraisers where they come together to talk about new guidance on appraisal/revalidation, difficult cases etc. Consider brushing up on your soft skills – Nicky suggests coaching/mentoring training can help bring out these soft skills beneficial when applying to be an appraiser such as empathy, good listening skills and providing constructive feedback to others.  Dr Nicky Wilson is a GP in Gloucestershire and has a portfolio role working as an Appraiser. Further reading RCGP guide to your appraisal https://www.rcgp.org.uk/your-career/revalidation/appraisal-guide-introduction Appraisal bodies in the Devolved Nations Scotland https://www.appraisal.nes.scot.nhs.uk/ Wales https://heiw.nhs.wales/support/revalidation-support-unit/gp-appraisal/ Northern Ireland https://www.nimdta.gov.uk/gp-appraisal-revalidation-and-mentoring/gp-appraisal/ NHSE appraisal information https://www.england.nhs.uk/professional-standards/medical-revalidation/appraisers/ RCGP Mentoring platform https://www.rcgp.org.uk/your-career/gp-mentoring Tell us what you thought! Please take 2 minutes to complete the survey about this episode.

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• 7: GP+ Genomics with Dr Will Evans

  In this month's episode we are pleased to be joined by Dr Will Evans, a salaried GP in Leeds and as a GP with a special interest in Genetics with the Yorkshire regional genetic service. Will tells Sophie how he got into the field, what his typical work week looks like, benefits of the role and how you can get involved in Genomics within primary care. Top tips Explore the world of Genomics - There are several great resources to familiarise yourself with Genomics. Will recommends looking at Health Education England (HEE) website for genomics educational resources particularly the GeNotes resource. Other excellent resources include the RCGP Genomics Toolkit Join the Primary Care Special Interest Group - if you are interested in finding out more about how you can be involved with Genomics, Will recommends joining the Primary Care Interest Group that Will is a member of. This has a number of GPs but also community pharmacists from across the country with differing interests and roles and is a great place to find out about opportunities and connect with like-minded peers Carve a diverse career path - with the growing integration of genomics in healthcare, GPs with expertise in this area are likely to be in higher demand. There is a range of opportunities to work in specialized clinics, academic settings or policy-making roles related to genetics Drive progress through Innovative Practice - Be part of the cutting edge of healthcare, applying the latest advancements in genetics to clinical practice. Will has been involved in several transformational projects such as improving care coordination of patients with rare genetic diagnoses as they transition from paediatric to adult services. Set clear boundaries - like any special interest, when you are working in that area for one day for example, there can be a risk that work can fall in other days that you aren't doing that role. Will suggests that you define your week quite carefully and protect your time - set clear boundaries and stick to them for the best work-life balance. Will works as a salaried GP in Leeds, and as a GP with a specialist interest in Genetics with the Yorkshire regional genetic service. He is the primary care lead for the North East and Yorkshire Genetic Medicine Service Alliance (GMSA).  Will is also an Honorary Assistant Professor at the University of Nottingham. His research interests involve rare diseases, genomics in primary care, large data base analysis and precision medicine.   He is a trustee and former chairman of the rare disease charity Niemann-Pick UK.  Further reading RCGP Genomics framework https://www.rcgp.org.uk/your-career/gp-extended-roles/introduction-clinical-genetics-genomics  RCGP Genomics toolkit https://elearning.rcgp.org.uk/mod/book/view.php?id=12892  GeNotes – quick concise information for healthcare professionals to make the right genomic decisions. Specific section for Primary care clinicians.  https://www.genomicseducation.hee.nhs.uk/genotes/ National genomic test directory- details what tests are available for what indication and who can request (NHS England) https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/national-genomic-test-directory-rare-and-inherited-disease-eligibility-criteria-v7.pdf Embedding genomics across the NHS: a primary care perspective. – A review of genomics and its role and impact in primary care  https://doi.org/10.7861%2Ffhj.2023-0116 To find out more about the Primary Care Special Interest Group (SIG) in Genomics contact [email protected] Tell us what you thought! Please take 2 minutes to complete the survey about this episode.

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