How to Get into: GP Training

About the Author

Dr. Amber Saleem, GPST3, Royal Free London VTS Scheme (North Central London)

I am a GPST3 in my final few months of training in North Central London. I have an interest in dermatology, sexual health, and leadership. I am lucky to represent my VTS as a trainee representative for HEE.

Courses & Conferences

• When I was a medical student, I always enjoyed my GP or ‘Community-Based Medicine’ days. I attended the ‘Discover GP’ conference by RCGP in my fourth year of medical school, which allowed me to speak to multiple different GPs at different stages of their careers. I have always been a patient-centred, communication-focused person, and general practice helps me to mix the 2 of these well. I would highly recommend having some GP experience in Foundation Years, or a taster week, to make sure you enjoy the job. GP is notorious for being a demanding and, at times, lonely job, and it is important that you are comfortable working as an independent practitioner before embarking on a career in GP.
• I was lucky that I had an unlimited study budget during my Foundation Years, and I used this to pay for an MSRA revision course. This course was particularly useful as I had very few resources or people around me that I had sat this exam before; however, it was not essential. I was told by other colleagues that it was ‘easy’ and ‘why would I bother revising’. However, I was applying for training during COVID and had a lot of free time on my hands. I spent 9 weeks prior to the exam practising questions from various banks. This hard work definitely paid off, and I was offered a job at my first choice, VTS.

An MSRA revision course and utilising different question banks.

Search Education

How to Maximise Your Portfolio

Nil portfolio required for GP.

Research the different locations that you would prefer and rank. The competition to get into GP training is increasing every year; what used to be a 1:1 ratio is around 1:3 in the 2024/205 application round. Be open to a wide area, and not too many VTS (vocational training schemes) will have overlapping locations.

Making the Most of Your Day Job

I would recommend that if you are interested in GP training from your Foundation Years, you try to specifically involve yourself in community-based or primary care-based roles. For example, during my FY1, I had a Geriatric Medicine rotation. During this rotation, I was offered the chance to attend the Cottage Hospital/Rehabilitation Centre once a month to complete the ward round with the consultant. This enabled me to understand specific community roles that I had never encountered in a hospital before. In addition, if you have a specific area of interest, such as sexual health, dermatology, etc, try to sit in on clinics or conduct a QIA/QIP on a topic you are interested in.

Making the Most of GP Training Placements

Be involved, ask lots of questions, and get a flavour of what it is like to be a locum, salaried, or partner GP. GP is changing every day, and as the ARRS roles become more well-established, the day-to-day life of a GP will become less patient-focused and more supervisory.

What About Non-GP Training Placements?

Take your annual leave, take study leave, and prioritise your own wellbeing! Try to complete an audit that is GP-focused.

Top 3 Tips for Getting Into GP Training