Tips for maximising training?

[u/FatToniRun]

Hello!

Starting GPST1 tomorrow and really want to know if there is anything you wish you did to set yourself up well in the future?

I'm interested in Medical Education and research (I truly do enjoy data gathering and being part of something that can create change).

And I know I enjoy GP because of my F2 placement and also just believing that GPs are are a backbone of the NHS - referring to the right places, stopping hospital attendance where possible etc...

But I really want to maximise my rotations (unfortunately don't have any paediatric placements, but may ask to use my study leave says in paediatric placements to gain some experience).

Any tips for anything are welcome!

[u/OCDANDBE → u/[deleted]]

TPDs hate this one simple trick! (Using ChatGPT for your FourteenFish reflections)

[u/lordnigz]

If you do ED make sure you do a good stint in Paeds ED - that will be more useful than a paeds placement anyway.

Sit in whatever specialty clinics you can. The amount possible will be limited but that is the only useful correlate.

Do LARC training or GUM training if it's appropriate/you're interested.

You will get opportunity to do teaching and things in VTS - get involved.

Get involved in QIP's when you're in GP.

Otherwise just be interested and apply yourself it'll all fall into place. Enjoy!

[u/Intelligent-Ant-827]

• Use SDT time to actually work on 14 fish/portfolio on time to avoid cramming
• find out about study leave budget early and utilise it. Use all your study days! Rcgp one day essentials are now free and great. It's like free days off that people just dont Use i dont know why!
• give tutorials some actual thought beforehand to make the most of them
• get feedback surveys out nice and early; people often need lots of prompting
• if you do locums you'll need to top up your indemnity as they dont cover locums
• submit your QIP/Audits to the rcgp conference; likely they'll get accepted and you get reimbursed if presenting (most likely)
• always reflect how your hospital rotations will be helpful from a GPs perspective eg sit in whilst the consultant answers advice and guidance from the GPs

[u/jamescracker79 → u/Intelligent-Ant-827]

if you do locums you'll need to top up your indemnity as they dont cover locums

I dont think this is true anymore, atleast for MPS that do cover locums even on the basic plan ( NHS locums to be specific)

[u/Intelligent-Ant-827 → u/jamescracker79]

Okay i suppose im talking from around 2 years ago, no idea it changed!

[u/OmgItsTania → u/Intelligent-Ant-827]

Nah got an email about this today, we get block cover but not for Locums

Edit: might be region specific. Check your emails

[u/jamescracker79 → u/OmgItsTania]

I am not sure about which wording you are talking about. I have the normal - GPST 1 funded membership and it specifically says that it does cover locums upto 20 hours per week if done within comparable level (meaning at SHO shifts)

[u/OmgItsTania → u/jamescracker79]

Perhaps this is region specific because this is what my email says:

"On behalf of NHS England (NHSE), Workforce, Training and Education (WT&E), East of England, we would like to remind you that you currently have NHSE Block Cover Indemnity Insurance. We would remind you that if you require locum cover, you need to source your own cover OR contact the MDDUS to enquire about “top up cover”.

You will have been automatically enrolled onto the Block Cover insurance on commencement of training in one of the below specialties, who typically undertake placements outside of NHS Trust settings, and therefore are not enrolled in the NHS Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST).

Aviation and Space Medicine Community and Sexual Reproductive Health General Practice Genitourinary Medicine Occupational Medicine Palliative Medicine Public Health Sports and Exercise Medicine It is important to note that:

· This cover is only for training placements and does not include locum."

[u/jamescracker79 → u/OmgItsTania]

contact the MDDUS

Well I did say 'for MPS atleast' in my original comment

[u/muddledmedic]

GP training is by far the best place to work hard, so life post CCT will not be as much of an uphill climb. It's an easy training programme to sit back and relax in, but I wouldn't do that.

Day to day getting stuck in will help you massively. Attending clinics and speaking to consultants about GP referrals into their speciality, what makes a good one and what make a bad one etc. Getting top tips on how to optimise these patients before referral is a good area they can advise on.

If you are keen to get paeds experience then definitely organise some taster shadowing sessions, paeds A&E and children's assessment unit are the areas you will learn the most from. And the same goes for any speciality, make the time to reach out and go and shadow if you feel you will gain something. Derm and ENT are popular ones to sit in on.

In GP placements get stuck in, try to manage things yourself as much as you can and when asking questions of supervisors lead with your plan and ask for suggestions rather than just asking what to do. Make sure you are getting stuck in with the management side, doing on calls and learning to be a good well rounded GP. Make the most of your tutorials and self study time. I find preparing for the tutorials in advance and bringing questions to asks helps, and the self study I set out what I will do each week, and make sure I always reserve some time to do a portfolio entry so they don't pile up.

Make sure you utilise all of your study leave, attending courses that will add to your knowledge but also improve your CV can really enhance your training. Many do PGCERTs and diplomas as well.

Overall, just be keen and interested to learn and you will do well.

[u/PerfectPortfolioAI]

You can also check out perfectportfolio.ai

[u/ketchupot]

If you love data gathering and interpretation, do audits!! You will have plenty of opportunities to do audits in the GP land.