Rural general practice is a stimulating career choice.
Whilst every GP practice is different, being a rural GP offers the opportunity to work in some stunning locations, whilst using a wide range of skills and being able to practise true continuity of care. Work is more likely to be required in the prehospital, community hospital and transfer environments, and this requires extended skills such as emergency, intermediate and palliative care. Living in a smaller community, with more on-call and reliance on healthcare professionals, brings specific challenges but can also offer fantastic levels of personal and professional satisfaction.
Whether you’re a school pupil, or coming to the end of your GP training and looking at the next step, we hope that these pages can help in explaining what some of the options are.
I am …
- at school and thinking about applying to do medicine
- [a medical student, wondering how to become a rural GP - watch this space!]
- [an FY doctor, keen to find out more about the GP Specialist Training (GPST) programmes - watch this space!]
- nearly/recently a qualified GP and wondering about rural practice
If you can’t find the answers you’re looking for, feel free to get in touch with us here at RuralGP. If you’d like to have a chat with someone for some careers advice, you can access this via Skype. See if we’re online now…
[skype-status]
Resources to consider…
RuralTrainee Network: This Google Group is free to join and easy to use, for any students or trainees who want to keep in the loop with developments in rural GP training.
Why should I become a rural GP? This article by Dr Gordon Baird appeared in InnovAiT,and describes the pros and cons of rural practice. To access this link you’ll need a subscription to InnovAiT.
NES Rural Fellowship Scheme: Offers newly-qualified GPs a year to develop extended skills suitable for rural practice.
