General practice doctor : Career development

The pattern of career development for general practitioners (GPs) has radically changed in recent years. 10 to 20 years ago it was common for GPs to join a practice as a partner and remain there for their entire career. Today, as with most other professions, there is much greater flexibility. An increasing number of GPs are working part-time as they seek a good work/life balance. This means that there has been a shift towards working fewer hours on a more flexible basis. See the Flexible Careers Scheme (FCS) for Doctors  for further details.

Whilst some GPs continue to enter the profession partners in a practice, there is now the option to work for a practice as a salaried doctor, which means you do not take on the same responsibilities and are not as involved in the administration of the practice.

Rather than remaining with a practice for many years, some GPs choose to work as locums, as this provides more flexibility. Pay for locums has improved and this mode of working allows the GP to spend more time with patients, rather than on practice administration.

Some GPs take a break from medicine, returning later on, either on a full or part-time basis through a deanery 'retainer' or 'returner' scheme. For more information, contact the relevant deanery. There are 21 in the UK and a list is available from the Conference of Postgraduate Medical Deans of the United Kingdom (COPMeD) .

Practitioners with Special Interests (PwSIs)  is an initiative which enables GPs to diversify their career development by pursuing an interest in a particular area. For example, some GPs expand their expertise in areas such as drug misuse, woman’s health, endoscopy, minor surgery, psychotherapy and endocrinology, among others.

Other development opportunities lie in education, training, practice management and providing occupational health services. Many GPs also develop 'portfolio' careers, often undertaking several roles on a part-time basis. Suggestions for ways of developing your career outside medicine can be found at Support4Doctors .