Medicine Route: Switching from GP to Surgical Training

Yup, I’m very aware the other way round is more common!

Ah I’d never considered LTFT, that’s certainly something I’ll look into. The only thing that might concern me about that is 1) eligibility - wouldn’t you have to have a child first in order to apply for that? (I would probably prefer having a plan of action BEFORE having a child, rather than winging it after) and 2) Idk if I’m being naive by saying this (because clearly it’s not a popular option), but I’d rather earn more money at the start of my career (which I would get with being a GP, as opposed to surgery / medicine LTFT) and then have a drop in salary and have to work my way back up, in order to pursue what I ultimately want to specialise in. But idk I think that mindset may stem from the hope that I will be more financially stable later on in life, what with an accumulation of savings from both mine and my huband’s salaries.

But anyhow, I’ll definitely look more into LTFT and weigh up the pros and cons, so thanks so much for your reply!

I suspect it's not unheard of, but it would be pretty unusual.

I know a couple of people who quite GP training to go into other specialties (medicine and psychiatry) after realising GP was not for them, but after completing training, the more common path would be to go down the associate specialist route (I know of a couple of GPs who essentially work at consultant level in hospital specialties) or the GP with special interest route (minor surgery being an option if surgery is your thing). The other thing to consider is whether training part-time would be an option - this is now much more accessible than it used to be, and certainly more common in some specialties than others, but I'm sure it would be an option even if you chose to do surgery. PhD may also be worth considering - would allow you to spend more time with kids but also work in your favour form a career point of view.

I would agree with LTFT as being the way to go. Currently in surgery you do need to have a child or ‘make a case’ for LTFT, but with the new peoples plan, LTFT is looking to be expanded and more inclusive

TBH I would always say pick the specialty you really want to do. And if that is surgery, look to see how it can work - and it can, I have certainly known LTFT trainees in surgery.

One last question, if you wouldn’t mind. Is it possible to switch to LTFT mid way through your medical / surgical training programme, or does it have to be done right from the start through to the end?

Is it unheard of to do GP training, work as a GP for a couple of years, and then retrain in medicine or surgery when you’re older (40ish)?
The question stems from the battle I’m having between wanting to be there to raise my kids when they’re young (which GPs have the flexibility to do), whilst struggling to give up my lifelong dream of becoming a surgeon (who definitely don’t have the time to raise a family during the early stages of core surgical training). It should be noted that I am a female by the way, and every female surgeon I meet tells me they only had kids in their mid-late 30s. I’m in my final year of medical school, so I’ve had to start thinking realistically about what I really want from life, and there’s two things I’m sure of: I want to do surgery (maybe medicine). But I also want to be a young mum (late 20s to early 30s) & be there to raise my kids for the first few years of their life.

Thanks for your reply! I’d heard of GP with special interest before, but I’ve never come across the associate specialist route you mentioned. That really does sound like something I’d consider. If they’re working as a GP for years, how exactly do you specialise in hospital settings simultaneously? Or are you retrained once you make the switch to a hospital setting?

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Also, something that nobody has mentioned so far: do you have a man? Doesn't he have an opinion about this? Some men are perhaps not as supportive of women becoming surgeons when they realise how much dedication of time and energy it needs, particularly if they aren't also doctors. Have you discussed this with your man?

I am just going to say that there is no place for ‘a man’ to determine whether they are going to be supportive or not of your career. Anyone who isnt going to support their significant others to achieve their goals is not worth it.

You NEVER see people wondering whether a female partner wont support a male to be a surgeon. This is a sexist mindset/ bias. It needs to stop.

Of course OP can go ahead and become a surgeon and raise a child without support from anyone if they so choose. That's entirely their decision. I'm sure there are plenty of surgical trainees who are also single mothers. But I doubt anyone would prefer to be a single parent above having a supportive partner.

What I'm asking is has it been discussed with a significant other who is also going to be involved in raising the child? So don't you dare call me sexist.

If your relationship ends because of your partner's inability to cope with your choice of career then it doesn't sound like a very supportive relationship?

Exactly. Which is why I asked whether it has been discussed with the significant other, to make sure both partners are on the same page? Are both partners well-informed of and committed to the extra responsibilities so that there is 2-way support? Preferably discussions going on before a child is born. Pursuing surgery and raising children at the same time should be a 2-person job, not one person going it alone.