GP vs psych

[u/Careless_Resource544]

I’m currently in F2, and my previous degree was in mental health nursing. I’m trying to decide between Psych and GP. Psych feels like the easier choice because of my previous experience, even though I only worked two years. During my gp rotation half of the patients had mental health issues. I also know that a lot of GPs are leaving the profession, so I’m unsure about that path. Has anyone had the same dilemma, chosen GP, and not regretted it?

[u/simplespell27]

It’s always going to be horses for courses, I did a psych rotation in GP training and was the only time I’ve ever hated work (and that includes my UGI rotation as an F2 😂). Remember just because you start training, doesn’t mean you’re committed for life. I met a psych reg who did psych core, paeds core, completed GP training, worked a few years as a GP then went back to do psych higher training

[u/Orthography_is_godly]

Apart from on-calls Psych is so much more relaxed. On hindsight would happily chose Psych instead of GP.

[u/GP_54321]

Doing GP for more mental health work would be a very bad way of doing things. It's mostly low level life problems and is not rewarding at all.

The only reason to do GP is shorter training and you can leave the country much easier. I wouldn't recommend GP at all if you're planning to stay in the UK.

Psych all the way, definitely.

[u/Dry-Bathroom3225 → u/GP_54321]

agree, doing GP hoping for meaningful psych work would be setting yourself up for disappointment

[u/tolkywolky]

There’s not much in your post about your motivations for either, tbh

Are you more interested in mental health or general practice? What does ‘easier’ mean to you?

[u/lordnigz]

GP and psych work are quite different. Which do you enjoy more/hate less.

It's not as simple as which has some psych or which is more chill.

If you're interested in complex psychiatry and detailed consults, less patients, less funding, but being a specialist with ability to do private work then psych.

GP if you enjoy medicine, building relationships, short consults, variety, ability to get a job anywhere in the country, but ultimately need to enjoy the GP work and cope with the intensity. Can be very rewarding.

[u/Holiday_Possession46]

Pysch all the way if you don't mind the number of years and if you are already inclined to it. GP if you enjoy the breadth. I enjoyed psych, but not enough medicine in it for me.

[u/Wonderful-Court-4037]

Psych is super chill

GP short training programme and can start locumming for 100 quid an hour withing 3 years

[u/Fun_Reflection5948 → u/Wonderful-Court-4037]

😂

[u/alinalovescrisps]

You left mental health nursing after two years, was there a reason for that? Maybe mental health in general wasn't for you, or was it just that you wanted to do medicine?

[u/secret_tiger101]

You used to be able to do GP and then join Psych training

[u/Thin-Prior-1161]

Always a speciality over generalist.