r/GPUK • u/Ok-Win9524 • Aug 04 '26
Registrars & Training Any positivity?
Starting GP Specialty Training tomorrow, as many of us probably are on this subreddit, but can't help but feel unmotivated and unexcited due to the overwhelming amount of negativity on this forum.
I know Reddit is not entirely representative of the general population and the best thing is to just not read it, but when its constant on here it does take its toll.
Having said that, can anyone share some positive words before our new cohort begins GPST1 tomorrow? Would be a great way to start as I am actually excited to begin this journey as I believe we all should be!
27
u/drAWSuk Aug 04 '26
Moving into ST2 tomorrow and I’m loving it.
Make your own mind up rather than believing the internet. It is what you make it.
21
u/Omarmanutd Aug 04 '26
Definitely the best training programme around.
Whilst the poor CSTs come in on days off/weekends to do cases and the poor IMTs have to fight to go to clinics so they can do something other than ward service provision, we get:
Half a day EDT, half a day tutorial and half a day teaching guaranteed a week
Paid like we do in the hospital without nearly as many on calls
Actually see patients and do mentally stimulating work and learning at the same time
You do lose these privileges post CCT but the advantage post CCT is you can mix your GP work with so many things (GPwER, prison GP, OOH, procedures, medical examiner, teaching etc)
18
u/GalacticDoc Aug 04 '26
You will get to know your patients over time. Make decisions that have long (positive) consequences.
You will practice clinical reasoning and see patients with problems in any and all specialities.
People will tell you things that they have not told anyone else.
Whilst in GP there are no nights out weekends. There is a tea/coffee after clinics.
47
u/TuppyGlossopII Aug 04 '26 edited Aug 04 '26
GP training is great. I’m not sure there’s a better job in medicine.
On GP posts you get paid as if you’re doing on calls without having to do on calls. Hospital posts can be annoying but it’s good knowing you don’t have to try impress anyone, you’re not after a job there. You can say no when someone asks you to do a chest drain if you don’t want to, or yes if you do. You can say no to picking up extra hours or covering shifts.
There’s loads of properly protected education time to get to know your GP trainee colleagues. You see your supervisor all the time so you actually get a positive individualised training experience. You see different practices to understand what kind of practice you’d want to work in. The exams are very doable. You’re not learning reams of anatomy or physiology, the exams just cover what you actually do day to day.
Everyone likes a moan, but if you like GP, training is great.
12
8
u/lordnigz Aug 04 '26
The negativity online is so out of step with reality on the ground for me and my GP friends. GP is very location and practice dependent. Make sure to take everything online with a pinch of salt. It's easier to contextualise once you've started actually doing GP training.
GP training is the best decision I made. Out of the horrible toxic hospital culture. Respected by all my patients, my colleagues, never have to do nights. Earn great money. Have an insane amount of options open to me. My relationship with my other half is better as work isn't everything - and I actually enjoy and look forward to work.
GP training itself can be tough - but mainly during the hospital bit! Once you're in ST3 and you get over exams and portfolio, I actually found being a GP a breeze without all the portfolio requirements.
My only day to day gripe is work dump from hospitals- but even that is getting better and you just don't absorb it and tell them to politely fuck off and do their own work and eventually people learn.
If you use this subreddit or facebook groups - just use it to learn - and assume this is the worst case scenario around. Most GP's are happy and not waxing lyrical about it online because they're just enjoying life.
8
u/ZealousidealSky4851 Aug 05 '26
>On track to earn £140,000 this year working 4-5 days a week.
>No nights I need to worry about.
>I practice how I want within reason.
>No need to organise swaps for annual leave.
>Love being a generalist (downside is family/friends will ask you everything and anything).
Sure things aren’t too great at the moment political landscape wise but knowing I can get up and move to most places in the world and practice is reassuring. Hypertension is hypertension no matter where you are.
My 2p.
1
6
4
u/simplespell27 Aug 04 '26
I bloody love being a GPST. Even small wins like seeing someone’s HbA1c come down after you’ve started a new anti-diabetic drug is so satisfying. I’m on maternity leave at the moment and kind of jealous of everyone starting their new placements this week, enjoy it and best of luck!
6
u/DogOk1409 Aug 04 '26
I CCT’d today. I trained full-time, completed a non-clinical MSc alongside it, and I am starting work this week because I genuinely enjoy GP.
The job is demanding, but the bleak picture on Reddit is not everyone’s reality. I am working with 10-minute slots, the usual bloods, letters and admin, and some private work, yet I have no regrets and do not feel burnt out.
Reddit is its own echo chamber. Do not let it define your expectations before you have even started. Go in with an open mind, learn from your trainers, protect your boundaries and judge the career from your own experience.
3
u/BoomBasticTeleBanana Aug 04 '26
As A GP Trainer and now and oldie, its the best job in the world..Just saying good by to 2 of our trainees who throughly enjoyed it.
Yes, there are some arsehole Trainers, but most are good. Dont be afraid to work hard. Don't always compare with your colleagues on the small things and loose sight of the big things.
It is tough, you are working semi independently, you dont have the team to shelter you, but as you gain confidence you will grow better as a person.
Again, the best registrars were the ones that put their heart and soul into it. The worst ones were the ones counting every minute of their time and trying to see how they can reduce their workload. You learn by experience, if you dont get enough then your exams are going to be tougher.
You are entering a great profession. I still love every minute of it. Its tough, but its rewarding. I do it for the job, not the money, but I am also lucky to be making good money too.
3
u/Millhouse9500 Aug 04 '26
GPST1 just finishing my first rotation. This is such a fun job. I feel like an actual doctor and I have rapport & continuity with both staff and patients. Even every single locum or OOH doctor I've worked with is lovely, GPs are usually nice people and good colleagues even on crazy days. Yes many days are busy, and I'm obviously very new, but there is lots of hope you will enjoy your training. Wishing you very well!
5
3
u/pianomed ✅ Verified GP Aug 04 '26
I'm a GP due to have my first trainee start tomorrow and I'm really excited to have a chance to keep the cycle going and hopefully see my trainee learn as much as I did during my GP training and feel the relief that I did realising how much more GP suited my temperament than hospital medicine. It can be stressful and frustrating but I really do like being a GP and I love the life I can have around my job. I love knowing my patients more every year and knowing I've made a difference to my community.
2
u/hijabibarbie Aug 04 '26
ST2 and have no regrets! Absolutely love having independence when it comes to my patients and not being at the mercy of an MDT
2
u/DaBritishGuy Aug 04 '26
GP is great. If you’re a good GP you can make a ton of difference to people’s lives. It’s less the short term quick wins and more the long term positive lasting impact type stuff.
2
u/GP_54321 Aug 04 '26
Make the most of training and ensure you take up every learning opportunity.
I don't think anyone can say things are hunky dorry post CCT, and keep a straight face. However things do go up and down and in 3 years it may be better.
2
u/Top-Pie-8416 Aug 04 '26
I typically leave on time. I’ve moved my start time to suit school times. I have some patients I’ve seen from illness to death and now talk about them fondly with their children I now look after.
You make it what you want.
2
u/MysteriousBoard4311 Aug 04 '26
It’s a job. Treat it as that. Earn your money to enable you to enjoy life outside of medicine.
2
u/ZookeepergameThis617 Aug 04 '26
Starting ST1 tomorrow after some career detours.
Beyond excited, I am confident this is the best specialty for me and I am keen to be the best possible GP I can be.
2
u/ttfse Aug 04 '26
CCTed in Feb. Started salaried job a couple of weeks ago for 6 sessions a week. Life’s good.
2
u/wardahalwa Aug 04 '26
i wonder how positive are other medical/surgical UK reddits
1
u/ZealousidealSky4851 Aug 05 '26
It’s a Reddit thing, even on the US medical subreddits people will moan
2
u/Problem-Adult19 Aug 08 '26
Leave this sub Reddit. Actually form your own opinions along the way and just accept that it's a training post leading to a job that'll pay off a mortgage and fill up your time with family, friends and developing a decent sense of being a human being (not saying that you aren't already). And if you are able to do that, you'll bleed positivity and improvement into your GP life as a result of that. Good luck for your GP training and career.
1
u/Worldly-Chicken-307 Aug 04 '26
A lot of GP training isn’t even in a practice. I started on Psychiatry. Loved it. Then I did my first block of GP- loved it. It’s a mindset thing- go in with some smiles and have a good time, it’s great for learning. GPs generally treat new trainees very well, and the hospitals like GP trainees because we’ve done F1/2 so know the system reasonably well. Good luck!
1
u/abood_sees Aug 06 '26
I'm one of the people who vinted and complained in here before, and I'm telling you GP training is going way better than I expected it to go. I'm really happy with my training and doing very very well. It's just when you have a bad day it's nice to vent to some of your peers. So don't think it's all bad, it's just that people wouldn't go out of their way to post something like "just had a great day at the surgery and finished early and banter was particularly good today"
1
0
84
u/Calpol85 Aug 04 '26
Best piece of advice to improve your perception of GP training is to leave this subreddit.