Case studies: General practitioner (GP): Charlotte

Charlotte actually applied to do medicine after A levels, changed her mind, took a year out, then did a degree in physics. She was accepted to do a Physics PhD when she changed her mind again and went back to do medicine - so she had a bit of a chequered start to her career.

My first degree taught me a lot about learning, so in some ways I was better prepared for another five years of study. The MBChB programme was great at offering practical experience - my course had an early emphasis on patient contact, which was really helpful - but even that didn't give me a realistic picture of what practising would be like.

I chose GP training because I knew it would allow me work/life balance, and I like to build long-term relationships with patients, their families and carers. There's also a lot of autonomy in GP practice compared with hospitals. Plus the flexibility with working hours and the income are both good.

I heard about my first partnership position by word of mouth, and I saw my current practice advertised in the BMJ Careers, so I formally applied and was interviewed. I feel very settled, the practice isn't too big and I have good relationships with other partners and an interesting mix of patients.

My main role is to provide primary care. I have surgeries twice a day, do home visits, teach students, do minor operations, and complete management administration and audits for the practice. I feel that the more experience I gain, the more confident I become. I find it very rewarding building relationships with patients and helping them. I've also become more business minded and organised as I've taken on additional management responsibility.

I enjoy staying up to date with current issues and developments in medicine. I have personal interests in minor surgery, drug and alcohol misuse and palliative care, which I've gained a lot of experience in. There are always opportunities for further career development being a GP and I've recently applied to do surgeries in a local prison and to train other GPs.

As for the downsides, I'd say they are the long hours and a lot of administrative box ticking.

To be a GP you need to have a good understanding of people and the importance of their concerns about their illness and how they behave with that illness. You have to be approachable, prepared to explain things fully and patient but firm with people. You do get personally involved with some cases and it's upsetting when people die, but you know you've helped them and their family, which makes it easier to cope with.

I think you need to make a conscious decision to be a GP as a career choice, not a fallback position, or you won't really enjoy it. It's a skill in itself and doesn't at all mean being a second-class doctor.