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Most partner GPs earn more than most specializations (that work within the NHS)
GPs have to build relationships and rapport with patients who frequently attend. They have to have a broad range of knowledge - theres not much space for specialisation. Most GPs finish for the day and then do home visits. They work hard and are the opposite of failed doctors in my opinion
Perhaps in Southern England, yes. I'm fairly certain being a GP for a huge swathe of the Scottish Highlands, or as part of the Royal Australian Flying Doctors, is just as challenging as a hospital based specialty, if not more so.

Clearly for that GP, it was the case they were a "failed doctor" and had presumably intended to pursue a career as a hospitalist but failed to continue down that path for whatever reason. Many GPs are quite happy with community focused care, and being able to engage patients over the course of their lives and have prolonged professional relationships with them.

It's irrelevant to debate, as it entirely depends on the individuals involved. It need not necessarily be a second choice, but it may well be for some. Additionally, I'm sure early-mid career GPs have better satisfaction than those wracked with nerves about MRCP/S etc exams and continuing attrition in reapplying to successive core/specialty training posts.
Reply 4
Original post by Anonymous1502
One girl I spoke to who had work experience at the GP said that the GP told her that GPs are failed doctors who couldn't cope in a hospital environment and the exams are harder and specialisation is harder according to the GP. This is not my opinion,this is something a GP said themselves and was wondering what others think?


Regardless, GPs still play a vital role in medical care and I think we'd be lost without them. Without an easy, accessible way to seek diagnosis, we'd be flooded with both under and over-treatment, which in turn could lead to faster development of problems such as MRSA or a huge spike in pharmaceutical costs

I don't think it's fair to attack people like this just because their role is less "prestigious" and yet just as equally important (not accusing you OP)
Original post by Anonymous1502
One girl I spoke to who had work experience at the GP said that the GP told her that GPs are failed doctors who couldn't cope in a hospital environment and the exams are harder and specialisation is harder according to the GP. This is not my opinion,this is something a GP said themselves and was wondering what others think?


This is a very old stereotype, I'm not sure if your friend was talking to a GP who just has a very dry sense of humour or what, but it's not actually the case.

Regardless, lots of doctors work in the community e.g. community paediatricians, epidemiologists, psychiatrists etc. It's not like GPs are the only ones.

I do think a proportion of GPs are attracted to general practice because it's based in the community rather than in a hospital, which is fair enough since the opportunity to get to know your patients and have continuity of care is one particular aspect of medical practice which you're unlikely to get in hospital. If that's something that matters to you as a doctor, then GP is obviously going to be a very attractive option. General practice also allows for more working flexibility which is useful if you have or want to have a family, this is again something which some hospital specialties don't easily allow for.

Anyway, it's not like working in a hospital somehow makes you a more intellectual or accomplished doctor. And even if a particular doctor genuinely does feel like they can't "cope" with working in hospital, I don't really see why that's something to be embarassed about. The hospital environment isn't for everyone and medicine is a very broad profession with options to suit doctors' needs and preferences. This is something to be encouraged imho.

GP is a tough job and not all doctors would make good GPs. They are one of the last remaining groups of doctors who are true generalists - and I don't think exams which test you across the breadth of general medicine, surgery, O&G, psychiatry, paediatrics, public health etc are easy by any means!
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Reply 6
GPs are doctors who value their sanity over prestige.
Being a GP is immensely challenging in its own right. Put some respeck on their role
Reply 8
Original post by Anonymous1502
One girl I spoke to who had work experience at the GP said that the GP told her that GPs are failed doctors who couldn't cope in a hospital environment and the exams are harder and specialisation is harder according to the GP. This is not my opinion,this is something a GP said themselves and was wondering what others think?


It takes a minimum of 10 years to train to become a GP. 25% of registered doctors are GPs and another 5% are training to become one. The suggestion that almost one in three of the workforce are failures is just bizarre. The fact this view comes from a doctor does not give the view credence.

People specialise in what they are interested in, what gives them a good work-life balance, and what is the most financially rewarding. GPs probably come top when it comes to work-life balance and financial reward so for someone who does not want to specialise in a particular area it is the perfect job.
Are they the most gifted and knowledgeable members of the medical profession? Nope, far from. However, it's still a very important and stressful job they do, and they get paid a f***tonne for it.
no they are the smartest doctors. 3 days a week and 80k a year??? not really a failure tbh
A vet once told me jokingly that all doctors have it easy because their patients can talk to them, whereas they have to find out what's wrong by themselves.
Reasons to become a GP:

Normal 9-5 hours (no nights!)
General knowledge in medicine if you prefer it
More community based
Compared to other doctors they spend more time interacting rather than treating
They can get involved in managing the practice or starting up their own
Original post by angelike1
Reasons to become a GP:

Normal 9-5 hours (no nights!)
General knowledge in medicine if you prefer it
More community based
Compared to other doctors they spend more time interacting rather than treating
They can get involved in managing the practice or starting up their own


GPs definitely don't do 9-5. If it was quite as cushy as that, there wouldn't be such a crisis in GP recruitment and retention.

I think some people here are a bit confused about the pay too.
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Reply 15
Doesn't sound very fair - my GP and a friend of mine who is a semi-retired doctor have said it's more difficult to be a GP as you've got to be ready for anything that comes through your door - any kind of defect in the human body, diagnose it, and either treat it there and then or refer to the correct specialist.
Original post by yungaheartz
pfft 'failed doctors' who get paid more than actual registrars... ok then


Not sure why a consultant in general practice should be paid less than a registrar tbh.
I found GP to be one of the most stressful jobs I've done, and I work in a high intensity medical field.

It's easy to scoff at GPs when you have the security of decisions based upon serial inpatient observations, serial blood tests, X-rays and immediate access to intravenous therapies.

Also the level of patience and humanity GPs have is utterly staggering, having to deal with the level of public expectation and unreasonable (government and public) demands right at the coalface.

Arguably they make more calculated decisions and perform more risk management on a day to day basis than any other specialty.
Original post by Democracy
GPs definitely don't do 9-5. If it was quite as cushy as that, there wouldn't be such a crisis in GP recruitment and retention.

I think some people here are a bit confused about the pay too.


I know they go overtime but they're contracted to do around 9-5.
Original post by angelike1
I know they go overtime but they're contracted to do around 9-5.


That's not particularly true. Modern day GP working involves duty doctor shifts, out of hours working and extended hours (evening surgeries). GP is not a 9-5 job.

And yes, they often work beyond their contracted hours purely to complete the endless administrative and social care tasks that they are responsible for.

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