Question – “How long does it take to become a GP”
Answer – “10 Years”
(Medical School, Foundation Years and Specialised Training)
Student Years
Studying to be a Doctor is usually a 5 year course as a Medical Student at University although Warwick Medical School offers a four year course for post graduates who have obtained a first university degree in another subject.
We at Dorridge Surgery participate in the training of Warwick Medical Students who attend for 8 week blocks. Nardia Poole recently spent 8 weeks at the Surgery and writes:
“The Dorridge Surgery takes on medical students from Warwick University as part of our Junior Medical Rotation (We are in the clinical phase after the theory component of our degree).
I recently spent an 8 week rotation within this surgery. For a medical student we know that just clinically competent won’t be enough. Medicine is much more than the science of illnesses and diseases – it’s an art with a very human aspect to it. Patients are the reason why we are there and every patient is affected in their own individual way.
At Dorridge my time with the patients (with patient permission) occurred either by sitting in and observing the GP consultation or by running the consultation with the GP present. I learnt quickly that the GPs make a hard task look easy.
The patients I saw made invaluable contributions to my education and training – Patients are experts in their own condition; they are exemplars of the condition and have had a positive hand in developing my professional skills and attitudes. I find they act as my assessors (sometimes unknowingly); either directly by giving feedback (gently reminders that I am softly spoken) or indirectly by teaching me how to share understanding, and finding best ways to approach and negotiate management.
Thank you to all the patients who were willing to see me during my rotation here at Dorridge. You provided a very positive and motivating time. I hope that you gained from the experience as well, teaching me what is important in your care and having a hand in developing better future doctors.”
Foundation Years
The Foundation Programme is a two-year (generic) training programme which forms the bridge between medical school and specialist/general practice training.
FY1 – (1 Year) Foundation year 1 (F1) enables medical graduates to begin to take supervised responsibility for patient care and consolidate the skills that they have learned at medical school.
FY2 – (1 Year) Foundation year 2 (F2) doctors remain under clinical supervision (as do all doctors in training) but take on increasing responsibility for patient care. In particular they begin to make management decisions as part of their progress towards independent practice.
Dr Anuga Premaratne is currently in post at Dorridge Surgery “A Foundation year 2 doctors works three 4 monthly rotations in a year and General Practice is a rotation that is quite popular amongst Foundation trainees. During the time that we spend at a General Practice, we consult patients independently under the supervision of Senior GPs. Following a year in hospital training, a FY2 doctor is able to identify serious and sinister pathology that requires urgent medical attention as well as diagnosing and appropriately treating certain medical problems. However, if in doubt, we discuss certain cases with a senior GP. The GP rotation in FY2 year is also very important as during this year all FY2 doctors make their career choices. This may be choosing a career in General Practice, Surgical training or other Medical speciality training.
In my 4 month rotation at the Dorridge Practice I have gained invaluable experience. The wide range of medical problems seen in General Practice is different to the experience you gain in Hospitals. The Senior GPs are very supportive and the other team members are very friendly and helpful. At times when I have had to discuss certain cases with senior GPs, the patients have been very patient and considerate which I have appreciated greatly during my time here. It has been a truly enriching experience working in a community such as Dorridge.”
Specialised GP Training
The first two years of GP training at the ST1 and ST2 grades. All trainees will spend 6 months of the first two years in General Practice (usually in the practice which will be their training practice in ST3) and the remaining posts will be hospital or community based, in a speciality relevant to General Practice
- ST1 three hospital posts of 4 months each
- ST2 two 6 month posts – one in GP and one in hospital
- ST3 12 month post in General Practice
The posts on GP Training schemes usually include some of the following specialities:
- Accident & Emergency
- Elderly medicine
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Paediatrics
- Public Health
- General Medicine
- Ear, Nose and Throat
- Ophthalmology
- Psychiatry
Presently Dr Muhammed Zubair is in post at Dorridge Surgery, he writes:
“Dorridge Surgery has been training doctors for a significant number of years and has contributed to the development of tomorrows GPs with enthusiasm and fervour. The practice has, on average, two trainees who are qualified doctors and one medical student who is in the process of qualification. The doctors are often passing through general practice for experience or in the process of training as GPs for future careers in the speciality of family medicine. Patients are an integral and indeed the most important source of learning experience for the doctors and every care is taken to ensure that both trainers and patients benefit from the experience. Qualified trainers consult with patients independently but under the supervision of senior GPs who are always at hand to offer advice and support. Indeed as a trainee GP, having worked in hospitals for a number of years, I myself have found Dorridge to be a wonderful place to work. The doctors and staff members are extremely supportive and hardworking. Furthermore, the patients are a joy to talk to and I feel it is a privilege engaging with the patients. I’m sure you will continue to support the practice in its efforts and hard work in training tomorrow’s doctors.”
We are committed help in the training of tomorrow’s doctors and are grateful for our patient’s for agreeing to participate.