Working as a general practitioner (GP) – 5 Pros and 5 Cons
We will now describe 5 pros and 5 cons working as a general practitioner (GP).
5 Pros
1. Variety of cases – as a GP, you will encounter a wide range of medical conditions and patients. This variety keeps your work interesting, and allows you to develop a broad general knowledge base.
2. Continuity of care – unlike specialists who focus on specific areas, GPs provide primary care and establish long-term relationships with their patients. You have the opportunity to follow patients over time, understand their medical history, get to know their families, and provide holistic care.
3. Flexible working – GPs often have the flexibility to work in different settings; such as clinics, hospitals, and as independent practitioners. This flexibility allows you to work part-time, and adapt your practice to suit your preferences and work-life balance. For example, for women having children, it may be helpful to work a day or two a week – increasingly by providing virtual appointments from home.
4. Generalism and broad medical knowledge – GPs are trained to diagnose and manage a wide array of medical conditions. This aspect of the work is a skill. In other words, it is very skilful to be knowledgeable about 15+ medical areas, and keep up to date with them.
5. Patient interaction – working as a GP allows for meaningful patient interactions. You have the opportunity to develop a rapport with patients, provide guidance, and contribute to their overall well-being. Building relationships with patients can be rewarding and fulfilling.
5 Cons
1. High workload – GPs often face heavy workloads due to the large number of patients they attend to – with 15-20 patients per clinic (compared to the 6-10 a hospital doctor will see). This can result in long working hours, high stress levels, and (if they work full-time) limited time for personal and family life.
2. Continuity challenges – while continuity of care is a pro, it can also present challenges. Managing a wide range of conditions and patients can be demanding, and maintaining up-to-date knowledge across various medical fields can be a challenge.
3. Limited specialisation – GPs have broad medical knowledge, but they may lack specialised expertise in specific areas. This means that for complex cases, you may need to refer patients to specialists, which can sometimes result in a loss of control over patient care.
4. Administrative burden – GPs often have a significant administrative workload, including medical note-taking, insurance documentation, and coordination with other healthcare providers. These administrative tasks can be time-consuming and detract from direct patient care.
5. Emotional burden – working as a GP can be emotionally challenging. You may encounter patients with serious illnesses, difficult personal circumstances, or experience patient loss. Dealing with emotional situations regularly can impact your own well-being and require coping mechanisms.
Summary
We have described 5 pros and 5 cons of working as a general practitioner (GP). It is very hard to do well but can be a very rewarding career.
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