General practitioners (GPs) treat all common medical conditions and refer patients to hospitals and other medical services for urgent and specialist treatment.
Life as a GP
You’ll be part of a wider team that promotes, prevents and offers treatment. You’ll care for people with chronic illness and long-term conditions, aiming to keep them well and in their own homes.
A full-time working week usually comprises of eight sessions, which equates to four days. A typical day in the practice normally starts at around 8am when you’ll check paperwork before seeing patients. You’ll spend time with a mix of patients with a variety of health needs until late morning, either face-to-face or through a phone consultation. At the end of morning surgery, some GPs see extra patients who need to be seen urgently.
After morning appointments, you'll generally catch up on paperwork, and make any phone calls. After lunch you may visit patients in their homes or care homes. Once visits are complete, you’ll start your afternoon surgery, which might run from 3pm until 5.30pm. You may also provide evening and weekend appointments.
Many otherGPs are responsible for running their own practices either alone or in partnershipwithother GPs. This means they have the freedom to decidehow much to paythemselves and their employees, including anyGPsthey employ.
the willingness and ability to handle uncertainty and conflicting demands
the ability to stay calm while working under pressure
excellent organisational and time-management skills
a willingness to developentrepreneurial and business skills
good IT skills
the ability to manage change
Entry requirements
Your first step is medical school. Typically, you’ll need excellent GCSEs and three A or A* passes at A level including chemistry for a five-year undergraduate degree in medicine. Many medical schools also ask for biology and others may require maths or physics.
If you already have a degree, you could study for a four-year postgraduate degree in medicine.
You’ll need to pass an interview and admissions test. You’ll be asked to show how you demonstrate the NHS values such as compassion and respect.
Some medical schools look to recruit a mix of students from different backgrounds and geographical areas, so your educational and economic background and family circ*mstances could be considered as part of your application.
How to become a GP
After medical school, you’ll join the paid two-year foundation programme where you’ll work in six placements in different settings.
After your foundation programme, you can apply for paid specialty training to become a GP which will take a minimum of three years.
You may be able to train part time, for example for health reasons or if you have family or caring responsibilities.
Where a career as a GP can take you
You could:
specialise in areas such as sports medicine, adolescent health, diabetes or palliative medicine
get involved in research at universities, the NHS or the private sector
teach medical students or postgraduate doctors in training
How do you stay current with emerging medical research and advancements in your field? Can you walk us through your approach to diagnosing and treating a patient with multiple chronic conditions? Describe how you would handle a medical emergency in your clinic.
MedlinePlus is the health information website from the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Find guidance you can trust about medical conditions, treatments, testing, medications, and more.
Can you get a full check up at the doctors? Yes — you can receive health checks your GP surgery, local pharmacy, or even your local library or leisure centre. Find NHS health check locations in your area.
This question seems simple, so many people fail to prepare for it, but it's crucial. Here's the deal: Don't give your complete employment (or personal) history. Instead, give a pitch—one that's concise and compelling and that shows exactly why you're the right fit for the job.
It is recommended that you personally contract the State Hospital wherein your family member or loved one may have been a patient, either in writing or by phone-call, and make your request for information.
Telephone etiquette requires that you talk with a proper and confident tone, good voice inflection, and a smile. A patient can tell when you are smiling because your voice is more cheerful. Always be courteous and tactful, and use proper diction. Enunciate your words care- fully as you speak clearly and distinctly.
Ask to be connected to the patient information or the admission department. Provide the person's full name and relevant information to help the search. Privacy considerations: Keep in mind that hospitals must abide by privacy regulations, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
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