3 Things I Learned From GP Work Experience

GPs Have A Lot To Do In A Very Limited Time Slot

You’ve probably read in the news about GP appointment slots getting shorter and shorter, and if you’ve ever witnessed a GP surgery, you’ll understand why this is such a problem.

In every consultation, the Doctor needs to take a full and thorough history, figure out which examination to perform, and if necessary, order tests and investigations.

Throughout all of this, the Doctor also needs to explain to the patient what they are doing, tell them what they think might be the problem, and explain the plan for what happens next.

Some patients will also feel that a consultation is incomplete, or indeed, inadequate, without some chat about their latest life updates. All of this has to happen in 10 minutes! I realised this during my work experience, which gave me massive respect for GPs and their time-management skills.

There Is A Lot Of Paperwork Involved

Paperwork is a huge part of GP life. The work does not end when the patient has left the room. All history and examination findings must be documented accurately. If the patient requires a referral, then this must be typed or dictated.

Letters must be written to consultants, physiotherapists, social workers, councils… and it can’t all be done immediately as the patient leaves, because there is always, of course, another patient to be seen.

This means that GPs more often than not have to stay behind for hours after their last patient has left, in order to ensure that all paperwork is completed. And if the electronic records system decides to crash (not an uncommon occurrence, unfortunately) then everything must be repeated.

Seeing this happen right in front of me really made me appreciate how hardworking GPs are, and also how much work is generated from each and every consultation.

Patients Have An Impact On How The GP Is Feeling

As a patient, it is easy to quickly judge a GP for not constantly being bright and cheery in every appointment. In my work experience, I realised just how emotionally draining some consultations can be, and how hard GPs work to appear entirely composed in the next appointment.

There are not many people who are able to give someone who they’ve known for 15 years a diagnosis of terminal cancer and then hold a normal conversation just 10 minutes later. But that is what GPs have to do on a regular basis. GPs must constantly maintain composure, no matter how they feel inside – and I was thoroughly inspired by their ability to do this.