Brought to you by the RCGP, the GP+ Careers podcast, hosted by Dr Sophie Lumley aims to showcase the breadth and diversity of careers you can develop as a GP.
Dr Lumley interviews GPs who do their GP work alongside an extended role, special interest or extra responsibility. Each podcast is focused on a specific interest or role even if the GP has multiple.
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5: GP+ Undergraduate Medical Education with Dr Egbe Efefaroro
Episode 5
Friday, September 20, 2024 • Duration 15:12
This month we hear from Dr Egbe Efefaroro, a GP who took up an interest in Undergraduate Medical Education at Keele University. Egbe talks to Sophie about her love for teaching her Year four medical students, how she got into the role and her advice for those interested in pursuing a career in this area.
Top tips:
Gain taster experience: Get involved with your local medical school for example as a casual tutor; personal development tutor; GP tutor for students assigned to your practice or volunteer as OSCE examiner. If interested, send an email to the medical school about any opportunities to get involved
It’s a win-win: You can learn a lot from teaching and interacting with students. Egbe says that this keeps her fresh and up to date with the latest guidelines which is also useful for her own learning and professional development. This in turn also benefits her patients in general practice which is a win-win!
Do I need additional qualifications? Egbe recommends obtaining a postgraduate degree in Medical Education i.e PgCert, PgDip or Masters - offered by various universities either in-situ or online, usually as a part time programme to allow learners to do it alongside their clinical work. Egbe did the one at Keele University.
Do a ‘Teach the Teachers’ course. This is a two-day course designed to help clinicians learn about educational concepts and techniques to deliver effective clinical teaching sessions. This is offered free by some universities for clinicians who have contact with their medical student
Become a role model: Inspire the next generation of doctors through your love of teaching and general practice. Share your interesting cases with your students, what surprised you? How did you deal with difficult situations? This may in turn inspire and encourage them to pursue a career in general practice. During a time of recruitment and retention crises in general practice this may help to future proof the profession.
Dr Egbe Efefaroro is a GP in Stoke-on-Trent and a Clinical Lecturer in Medical Education in the School of Medicine at Keele University Staffordshire.
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4: GP+ Sexual Health with Dr Rachel Taylor
Episode 4
Friday, September 20, 2024 • Duration 18:14
This week, Dr Sophie Lumley interviews Dr Rachel Taylor, a GP partner, Trainer, Appraiser and Mentor who works mainly as a GP but also in sexual health clinics. Rachel outlines her career journey, ideas of how to get into this area of work and her highlights of the role.
Top tips:
Consider the motivation for the role: Be very clear what your drivers are for taking on the additional role e.g. is it an area you have a passion for, is it to have more flexibility in your career or even increase your income? Once you have established your ‘why’ seek out the opportunities.
Embrace the flexibility: Your life can change over the years with family and career commitments but you can find a role to suit you. You may be able to pick up shifts in your local sexual health clinics to suit your schedule.
Increase your competence with a qualification: There are qualifications such as the DFSRH which fits very well with general practice with a very well resourced, accessible website and achievable qualification if you are already doing your GP training.
Start your search close to home: Not sure where to start? Rachel recommends contacting your local gynae clinics and offer to sit in and speak to the team about opportunities available. Most local sexual health services are run by public health which is another option to explore. You could also join webinars/events on sexual health and contact those who are teaching on it directly about opportunities or further study.
There may be funding available: If you want to gain expertise in sexual health ask your practice if they can fund you to train in fitting coils/implants, but you should also be prepared to fund yourself or do it in your own time. Another option for funding could be through a fellowship scheme. Sometimes bursaries are available which could be used to backfill some of your time or pay for you to go on courses and enable you to work elsewhere.
Dr Rachel Taylor is a GP Partner, Trainer, Appraiser and Mentor. She has a special interest in Sexual Health and is a DFSRH Faculty Trainer. She works mainly as a GP but has always worked in Sexual Health clinics to support her interest, clinical skills and awareness in this area.
3: GP+ Frailty with Dr Alistair Robertson
Episode 3
Friday, September 20, 2024 • Duration 15:35
In this episode we hear from Dr Alistair Robertson, a GP with a special interest in frailty speak to Dr Sophie Lumley about his experience of getting into this area of work, how to seek out opportunities in frailty if you want to get involved and his downsides and highlights of the role.
Top tips:
Make the most out of your networks - Seek out any hospital frailty teams or your GP practice the frailty lead. Don’t be afraid to speak to them to find out how to get involved, do some home visits or basic frailty or comprehensive geriatric assessments to familiarise yourself with the work
Upskill yourself – It's always helpful to increase your knowledge base on frailty by completing a diploma in geriatric medicine for example, but it’s not essential when starting out
Determine what sort of doctor do you want to be - find an area where you can be that doctor that you want to be. It's within every GP to go off and do these things as it's all the things you've learned coming into play that you excel at with our communication, working with other teams and being the hub for the care of the patient
Apply yourself – with frailty you don’t need to carry any separate medical skills that other doctors don’t have; it's just you maybe have a little bit more opportunity to apply what you do know
Endless learning opportunities – frailty is an area of work that is growing exponentially year on year due to an ageing population. You have a chance to learn from your team and your patients which is an exciting addition to the ‘day to day’ GP role.
Dr Alistair Robertson is a former EDM Record Producer who retrained as a doctor and went on to specialise as a frailty doctor, with a particular special interest in headaches on the side.
Further reading
RCGP GPwER in Frailty Framework https://www.rcgp.org.uk/your-career/gp-extended-roles/purpose-of-frailty Joining the dots: A blueprint for preventing and managing frailty in older people Podcast with learning resources on frailty and elderly care: Understanding how integrated care systems are supporting older people; case studies on integrated care Diploma in geriatric medicine
2: GP+ Expedition Medicine with Dr Nadia Tharib
Episode 2
Friday, September 20, 2024 • Duration 18:01
In this episode, Dr Sophie Lumley interviewed Dr Nadia Tharib, a GP with an interest in expedition medicine, mountain medicine, tropical and humanitarian medicine. Find out how Nadia got into this field of work, the challenges and the highlights of her role and more!
Top tips
The variety is unmatched - From following a group of teenagers doing a Duke of Ed to going to going to Mount Everest basecamp, there is huge variation in what constitutes as expedition medicine
Educate yourself - There are courses available to provide education in expedition medicine. There are also diplomas and masters level qualifications. These are a great way to build your knowledge and confidence and to network with like-minded people but they are not essential to be an expedition medic
Make friends for life - Expedition medicine is an exciting opportunity to meet a range of really interesting people, make friends for life and share your incredible stories with your patients in your day to day GP job!
It’s never too early to start - Don’t be afraid to explore courses you are interested in early on in your GP career journey. Nadia completed an expedition medicine course in her F2 which helped her to think on her feet and improvise – great skills that compliment everyday general practice
Trust your gut - In expedition medicine, have the confidence to recognise a sick patient when you see one and be prepared to potentially manage them on your own.
Is it for you? Nadia advises to go on a trip as a member first to find out if you enjoy expedition medicine, as it may not be suitable for everyone. For example being ‘on-call’ during the expeditions in often hostile environments whilst always remaining calm and positive can be challenging.
Dr Nadia Tharib is a GP Partner in Shropshire. She has an interest in expedition medicine, mountain medicine, tropical and humanitarian medicine. Nadia holds the UIAA Diploma in Mountain Medicine and the Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
Further reading
The Adventure Medic website: Raleigh International website: World Extreme website:
1: The GP+ Careers podcast - Introduction with Dr Helena McKeown and Dr Sophie Lumley
Episode 1
Thursday, September 19, 2024 • Duration 09:03
Brought to you by RCGP, the GP+ Careers podcast is a series aiming to showcase the breadth and diversity of opportunities available to you as a GP.
In this introductory episode, Dr Helena McKeown, Medical Director for Professional Development and Quality at the RCGP, interviews podcast host Dr Sophie Lumley to find out the purpose of the podcast, how it came to be and her key takeaways from the podcasts so far.
Dr Sophie Lumley, is a First5 GP in Shropshire, West Midlands and a Training Programme Director. She decided to start this podcast to hear all about the additional GP career options available to her, her colleagues and her trainees and how to start developing them.
RCGP Podcast Feedback Your feedback plays a crucial role in helping us improve the CPD products and services we offer. We would be grateful if you could please complete our short RCGP Podcast Survey, which will take no more than 5 minutes to complete.
6: GP+ Learning Disabilities with Dr Ayesha Mahmud
Episode 6
Friday, November 15, 2024 • Duration 27:37
This month we are joined by Dr Ayesha Mahmud, a salaried GP, TPD, ICB lead and Faculty Education Lead with a special interest in Learning Disabilities and Autism. Ayesha describes how her GP career path changed due to her passion for advocating for patients with learning disabilities. She also outlines her achievements within this area of work and highlights of the role.
Top tips:
You can always change direction of travel – Ayesha previously had a background in minor surgery and changed to learning disabilities as it was a passion of hers with a personal meaning to drive change
Find your Tribe – Ayesha recommends exploring the RCGP Special Interest Group for Learning Disabilities where you can connect with those who share your special interest, expand your networks and opportunities and learn from each other
Raise awareness of your work – If you are working to improve the quality of patient care for those with learning disabilities, it is important to raise awareness of this as it can lead to more joined up thinking and improved patient outcomes
Expand your knowledge - Ayesha highly recommends the RCGP One Day Essentials courses for different topics which are now free to members to book
Small changes can be rewarding – Implementing small changes in your practice can be hugely beneficial to patients. Ayesha provides an example of this whereby her GP Practice has an alert system set up for a patient on the learning disability register, so the receptionist is notified and can try to make reasonable adjustments for them such as a longer appointment time.
Further reading
8: GP+ Appraiser with Dr Nicky Wilson
Episode 8
Friday, January 24, 2025 • Duration 16:09
In this month’s episode our host Dr Sophie Lumley is joined by Dr Nicky Wilson, a GP appraiser since 2018. Nicky outlines her career journey so far, the skills required to be appraiser, benefits of the role and much more.
Top tips:
Build a career to suit you – the role offers flexibility in terms of how many appraisals you want to take on each year (usually up to 22-24) and these can be done at a time that suits you and your appraisee. You also need to consider the time dedicated both before the appraisal for preparation and the write up afterwards in your overall time commitment.
Seek inspiration from others – Nicky enjoys finding out what others are doing as part of their personal development plans (PDP) and is often inspired by their ideas for innovative practice and new ways of working. Some of these ideas may inspire you to make improvements in your own GP practice.
Reach out to your local networks – if you want to become an appraiser, Nicky advises that you reach out to your local appraiser team about recruitment opportunities and application process. If you aren’t successful the first time – don’t give up! Ask for feedback and apply again.
Consult with your colleagues – as an appraiser, Nicky states she was assigned a senior appraiser who she could seek advice from. She also attends small group meetings facilitated by experiences appraisers where they come together to talk about new guidance on appraisal/revalidation, difficult cases etc.
Consider brushing up on your soft skills – Nicky suggests coaching/mentoringtraining can help bring out these soft skills beneficial when applying to be an appraiser such as empathy, good listening skills and providing constructive feedback to others.
Dr Nicky Wilson is a GP in Gloucestershire and has a portfolio role working as an Appraiser.
In this month's episode we are pleased to be joined by Dr Will Evans, a salaried GP in Leeds and as a GP with a special interest in Genetics with the Yorkshire regional genetic service. Will tells Sophie how he got into the field, what his typical work week looks like, benefits of the role and how you can get involved in Genomics within primary care.
Top tips
Explore the world of Genomics - There are several great resources to familiarise yourself with Genomics.Will recommends looking at Health Education England (HEE) website for genomics educational resources particularly the GeNotes resource. Other excellent resources include the RCGP Genomics Toolkit
Join the Primary Care Special Interest Group - if you are interested in finding out more about how you can be involved with Genomics, Will recommends joining the Primary Care Interest Group that Will is a member of. This has a number of GPs but also community pharmacists from across the country with differing interests and roles and is a great place to find out about opportunities and connect with like-minded peers
Carve a diverse career path - with the growing integration of genomics in healthcare, GPs with expertise in this area are likely to be in higher demand. There is a range of opportunities to work in specialized clinics, academic settings or policy-making roles related to genetics
Drive progress through Innovative Practice - Be part of the cutting edge of healthcare, applying the latest advancements in genetics to clinical practice. Will has been involved in several transformational projects such as improving care coordination of patients with rare genetic diagnoses as they transition from paediatric to adult services.
Set clear boundaries - like any special interest, when you are working in that area for one day for example, there can be a risk that work can fall in other days that you aren't doing that role. Will suggests that you define your week quite carefully and protect your time - set clear boundaries and stick to them for the best work-life balance.
9: GP+ Working in Secure Environments with Dr Juli McCulloch
Episode 9
Friday, February 21, 2025 • Duration 26:46
In this month’s episode we hear from Dr Juli McCulloch, a First5 GP working in secure environments and secondary care addiction services. Juli provides valuable insights into working in a high security prison, how her personal interest attracted her to the role and the benefits of pursuing this specialist interest. If you have any questions, please reach out to member.programmes@rcgp.org.uk and we are happy to put you in touch with Juli.
Top tips
Research the different types of secure environments - There are a range of secure environments you can work in as a GP including open prisons, higher security units, immigration detention centres, and more. Juli works in a high security men's prison but she urges you to consider the type of secure environments near to you that interest you.
The job can be rewarding but emotionally demanding -Patients in these environments tend to have more complex needs and have experienced more trauma, often resulting in more mental health and substance use concerns. You need to consider how to care for yourself and your emotional resilience as well. Juli mixes prison shifts with a varied work week within a Portfolio career to protect herself from burnout.
Contacts are key - Juli highlighted that she secured an interview for her other role in substance misuse through her GP partner colleague, who had a contact in the local addiction services. Connect with GPs already working in secure environments to gain first-hand accounts of their experiences, join online forums, and seek out mentorship opportunities in this area. She found this route much easier and more informative than searching for job adverts and listed vacancies.
Preserve human dignity and provide empathy - It’s important to always approach individuals in secure environments with empathy and respect, recognizing their vulnerability. Juli states that a simple, human connection can make a significant difference in their experience and well-being.
Same but different - Juli highlights that she was not required to complete any additional qualifications to work in the prison environment. Although the structure and environment is different a lot of the day-to-day clinical work is exactly the same as that of your community GP clinics including chronic disease management, triaging patients, prescriptions for the pharmacists, and dealing with queries from the nurses. In Juli’s experience she also sees fewer patients per shift, allowing you to spend more time if the patient needs it.
10: GP+ Migrant Health with Dr Sarah Clark
Episode 10
Friday, March 14, 2025 • Duration 12:36
This month we hear from Dr Sarah Clark who works one day a week as a clinical assessor for Medical Justice. Medical Justice are a charity who work to support the health and legal rights for people who are held in immigration detention. Sarah outlines how she got into the role and what it involves and where you can find out more information.
Top tips
Provide Holistic patient care - When working with those held in immigration detention, it is important to consider the whole person in front of you, addressing both the physical and psychosocial aspects of your patient’s health. Migrants may face multiple stressors, including housing insecurity, lack of social support, or financial difficulties, which can affect their mental health too.
Manage the Emotional Impact - Working with migrant populations, especially those facing trauma can be emotionally taxing. Take time for self-care and seek professional support when needed. Sarah recommends taking some down time after the assessments. Medical Justice also offer groups with a psychotherapist that you are welcome to attend. They also offer six funded sessions of psychotherapy per year to support your mental wellbeing as a GP.
Explore uncharted territory - If you are interested in getting involved, Sarah recommends attending one of the Medical Justice basics training days which are advertised on their website, usually held twice a year. Sarah encourages you to sign up to their mailing list to find out first about upcoming training dates. The training provides an overview of the work involved and an opportunity to decide if it is for you. There's no commitment as you can try a few assessments to see if it's something you want to pursue a career in.
Do your research - Research the main charities websites who do this type of work such as Medical Justice, the Helen Bamber Foundation and read through statements from both patients and doctors who work for these charities. Some of the organisations host webinars where you can stay up to date on their website and social media channels for upcoming events to attend to get more information.
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RCGP Podcast Feedback Your feedback plays a crucial role in helping us improve the CPD products and services we offer. We would be grateful if you could please complete our short RCGP Podcast Survey, which will take no more than 5 minutes to complete.
RCGP Podcast Feedback Your feedback plays a crucial role in helping us improve the CPD products and services we offer. We would be grateful if you could please complete our short RCGP Podcast Survey, which will take no more than 5 minutes to complete.
RCGP Podcast Feedback Your feedback plays a crucial role in helping us improve the CPD products and services we offer. We would be grateful if you could please complete our short RCGP Podcast Survey, which will take no more than 5 minutes to complete.
Dr Ayesha Mahmud is a salaried GP, TPD, ICB lead and Faculty Education Lead. She has special interest in Learning Disabilities and Autism. She is deeply committed to enhancing the quality of care for individuals with Learning Disabilities and works actively to reduce health inequalities in healthcare system.
RCGP Podcast Feedback Your feedback plays a crucial role in helping us improve the CPD products and services we offer. We would be grateful if you could please complete our short RCGP Podcast Survey, which will take no more than 5 minutes to complete.
RCGP Podcast Feedback Your feedback plays a crucial role in helping us improve the CPD products and services we offer. We would be grateful if you could please complete our short RCGP Podcast Survey, which will take no more than 5 minutes to complete.
Will works as a salaried GP in Leeds, and as a GP with a specialist interest in Genetics with the Yorkshire regional genetic service. He is the primary care lead for the North East and Yorkshire Genetic Medicine Service Alliance (GMSA).
Will is also an Honorary Assistant Professor at the University of Nottingham. His research interests involve rare diseases, genomics in primary care, large data base analysis and precision medicine.
He is a trustee and former chairman of the rare disease charity Niemann-Pick UK.
RCGP Podcast Feedback Your feedback plays a crucial role in helping us improve the CPD products and services we offer. We would be grateful if you could please complete our short RCGP Podcast Survey, which will take no more than 5 minutes to complete.
Dr Juli McCulloch is a First5 GP working in Fife and Tayside. She divides her working week between a long-term locum GP post, a salaried post in secondary care addiction services, and a few shifts monthly at her local prison.
RCGP Podcast Feedback Your feedback plays a crucial role in helping us improve the CPD products and services we offer. We would be grateful if you could please complete our short RCGP Podcast Survey, which will take no more than 5 minutes to complete.
Dr Sarah Clark is a GP in Bristol and has a portfolio role working with Medical Justice as a Clinical Assessor.
RCGP Podcast Feedback Your feedback plays a crucial role in helping us improve the CPD products and services we offer. We would be grateful if you could please complete our short RCGP Podcast Survey, which will take no more than 5 minutes to complete.
