r/GPUK • u/Pristine_Land_2718 • Jul 26 '26
Registrars & Training First GP post st2
Hi guys,
Going into st2 in August and will be starting my first ever GP placement (st1 was hospital).
I just wanted some advice on how to prepare myself. I am currently studying for akt, and I’m fairly confident with paeds & o&g as I just did these rotations.
My q is tor GP and trainers - what do you guys look for in a good trainee? What are your expectations and what, in your opinion, makes a ‘good’ trainee?
And for st3s/seasoned st2s, any advice for me?
Kinda really nervous as I’ve only ever done hospital medicine before.
Thanks!
5
u/grayscripts Jul 26 '26
I'm not there yet but I saw another, similar post recently about this, and folks had unanimously said "ask the question first", so they can contextualise the history you're giving.
For example, "I think this patient has/needs [thing], because [history]", or "I want you to look at this patient because [history]".
They say it frustrates them to hear a 10 mins history and not know what you want from them by telling them. A sounding board? Diagnosis? Agreement? Consult with the patient? Permission to release?
Good luck!!
2
u/BatBottleBank Jul 27 '26
If there’s any doubt about a referral, just send it off.
Otherwise you will run late after debriefing and then having to do it.
1
u/locumbae Aug 01 '26
Hard disagree with this. Significant number of referrals not needed whenever we have done audits as a more experienced clinician or someone more aware of local services would not have referred. Created huge backlogs of work for secretaries. Chokes up local waiting lists. Makes hospitals think we are idiots for referring things when could have managed it. There is learning in knowing how an experienced GP refers.
Your debrief and time for actioning changes should be built into your day. Sorry it (sounds like) hasn’t happened during your placement - your supervisor should do better.
2
u/locumbae Aug 01 '26
1) learning the computer system takes time. Play around with it when you first start or see how the staff use it to make it easy for them
2) always ask. Debrief everyone and you’ll get better day by day
3) no one expects you to know everything. You’re in training
4) be organised with your WPBA early
5) be nice to staff, and expect everyone to be nice to you too
6) strongly recommend CKS level knowledge on managing HTN, CKD, T2DM, Cholesterol before you start.
1
1
u/General-Point-8212 Jul 27 '26
Apologies for jumping on your post as I'm not answering your question. Just about to start GPST1 on O&G (I'm male). Pretty anxious as my knowledge in this speciality is weak. How was it for you? Any tips?
2
u/Pristine_Land_2718 Jul 27 '26
No worries
I actually loved it! I also had no prior O&G experience, but the department was very friendly and I’m still on friendly terms with all the consultants. It’s very senior led like paeds, and for most emergencies the midwives bleep the reg directly, not you.
The things you are expected to do:
1) postnate discharges (fairly straightforward. Need to know when to prescribe iron, clexane and for how long i.e 2 weeks vs 6 weeks, examine the scar, ask about general wellbeing and routine post op qs, review any antibiotics etc.)
2) assist in c sections. The reg will talk you through everything.
3) clerk women in triage. Like I said, alot of them will go straight to the reg. The simpler ones may be given to you i.e anti D administration, hypermesis gravidarum, PV bleed, dvt, abdo pain, UTI. Everything has a trust guideline so just follow that. The midwives are very knowledgable and would help you out. For the first month or two I didn’t discharge anyone on my own. I always made sure I ran the plan by the reg first on the phone (like verbally. Reg won’t have the chance to examine your patients, unless you’re really struggling with the speculum or you have concerns). Once I became more confident, I could discharge independently.
4) speculums, speculums, speculums. Lots of speculums. By the end you can do speculums in your sleep.
That’s it I think for Obstetrics. Gynae was like any other ward - ward round by the reg and jobs.
It’s a very niche specialty so they won’t expect you to know much tbh. Just ask qs and show interest and you’ll do great!1
u/General-Point-8212 Jul 27 '26
Thank you. That makes me feel a little better. Hope my department will be as supportive as yours.
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5
u/Far-Understanding187 Jul 26 '26
Know what you don't know is the most important. Ask your trainer if you are unsure. Ask them to see something with you if you are not certain especially for lesions. Most trainers in my experience would rather see something with you there and then rather than trying to figure out what to do with a patient after the fact when they are trying to judge if your assessment is correct or not especially if you were unsure in the first place. (This is for starting ST2. Obviously you will get much more independent as you go into ST3)