If you enjoy diagnosing and treating a wide range of conditions rather than specialising in one area specifically, you should consider a career in general practice in the UK.
England's National Health Service is commonly regarded as a national treasure, with its underlying principle of free healthcare for all at point of service being a matter of great pride for the vast majority of English people.
General practitioners (GPs) or family doctors are the foundation of the NHS: the first point of call for most patients, working together with not only the patient themselves but a variety of healthcare professionals from pharmacists to mental health services to physiotherapists to social care services, managing everything from minor conditions to acute illness and long term ill health.
As well as being well-regarded by the population that they serve – nine out of ten patients rate their experience of their GP practice as "Good" – the British government also recognise the importance of the work carried out by GPs, investing an additional £2.4bn a year into general practice by 2021.
General practice in England is varied, interesting, well-regarded and well-supported, but what other reasons are there for pursuing a career as a GP in England?
1. Work as a GP in the UK is well paid compared to other EU areas, with a good future pension. While on the International GP training scheme, you can expect to earn a minimum of £3,000 per calendar month, increasing to £68,000-£72,000 per year once you have gained entry to the National Medical Performers List, alongside benefits including paid maternal and paternal leave.
2. As a GP, you have the option of working out-of-hours and weekends.
3. The role offers fantastic flexibility, whatever you're looking for: partnership, salaried or locum, rural or urban, full-time or part-time.
4. You could be setting up your new home in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Over a third of the county of Devon, for example, is designated as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with 450 miles of stunning coastline and clean, attractive, family-friendly beaches, while Cornwall has wild Bodmin Moor and, of course, beaches galore.
5. While for many the beauty of general practice is the variety, there is also the opportunity to develop special interests, such as gastroenterology or paediatric medicine.
6. Job satisfaction in the continuity and personal nature of the care you provide. Your patients will refer to you as "my doctor", and their trust in you and their respect for your decision-making is immense, and hugely rewarding.
7. It's not just about coughs and colds: a GP is a general physician managing anything from minor ailments to complex conditions and long term ill health.
8. Seeing people get better – and being there when they don't. A GP is the patient's companion on many journeys: being able to fix their problems and make them feel better, control their pain or provide some comfort is extremely gratifying. The people make this job.
9. Managing, not being managed - you oversee your working day.
10. Every day is different and interesting in general practice. No two appointments are the same and you never know what will be coming up in the next appointment, giving you a fantastic opportunity to expand your clinical practice.
The GP recruitment scheme also offers a comprehensive programme of practical and logistical support, including help finding a home, schools and other local facilities; help with day to day tasks such as setting up bank accounts; help with relocation costs; and financial support for your partner if they wish to improve their English in order to find work. We are with you every step of the way. So if what you've read so far sounds interesting, you like to be busy, you're a curious thinker, and a compassionate carer who never wants to stop learning, we'd love to hear from you!
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