Abstract
We currently have an excellent GP specialty training programme where trainees are very well supported in all aspects. Once qualified, however, many GPs not only feel isolated but also have to face challenges such as looking for a job, organizing locum work, understanding quality and outcomes framework, etc, while also dealing with the real, exciting and rewarding work that is general practice. Additionally, this often involves a move to a new area, where there is a need to get to know the local services and medical community. These problems together with the new and important revalidation and relicensing hoops to jump through can induce great uncertainty, vulnerability and sense of isolation in the initial stages of your life as an independent practitioner. This is a far cry from the regular educational and supportive peer group meetings that most of you have in your training.
One of the strategies for helping with this transition is to join/start a Young Practitioners Group. These groups provide regular educational and supportive peer group meetings, creating a useful network and preventing professional isolation.
I started such a group called Pennine Young Practitioners Group (PYPG) for the recently qualified GPs in the Huddersfield, West Yorkshire area, 2 years ago. We now also accept members who have moved to the area.
Why did I start that group?
While I was GP registrar, my trainer Dr Naim Hasanie and I discussed and realized the importance of a robust support network after training for newly qualified GPs. Within a few weeks of finishing training, the void became apparent, as I was missing the weekly Vocational training scheme half-day release sessions, where there was a chance to meet others and exchange ideas. Then, I spoke to a few established GPs in our area and initiated the PYPG. I will outline a few important steps in starting and running such a group.
Groundwork
The first thing I did was to find out if any such groups were currently operational in our area. Then, I requested an email from me to be circulated to all GPs and practice managers in our Primary Care Trust (NHS Kirklees) area via the PCT communications department and local VTS coordinator.
I got a very good response. That was the first time I realized that others felt the same as I did and it was worth spending further time on this project with the aim of building a new platform of support for other recently qualified GPs, who were in my position.
Next, I set the date and time for the first meeting for September 2007 and organized the venue. I contacted a few organizations including the local Deanery and Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) about any funding for similar groups. Unfortunately, there was no funding available for the group from these sources; however, I was approached by a volunteer from a drug company who was enthusiastic to support the group. I recognized the dilemma of whether to accept this help from the pharmaceutical representative; however, after discussions, we agreed to take this support under the code of practice of the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry.
The first meeting
The day of the first meeting was a very exciting day as I had not had much experience of organizing a meeting like this before. I invited our local postgraduate tutor to give the opening address. He gave us very valuable advice on how to run the group, making us aware that the lifespan of such groups is dependant on members' priorities. Needs change over the years, some groups that have served their purpose shrink away with time.
Fifteen young GPs attended the first meeting; our purpose was to make introductions and to plan the future of the group. We decided to meet once every 6–8 weeks on a Wednesday evening. The topics were to be suggested by the group a month in advance. Choosing the topics and speakers are very important steps for the sustainability of such groups, as this is partly what draws individuals to attend and remain part of the group.
We currently have 22 GPs on the mailing list, with the attendance numbers varying significantly. On average, 6–8 people attend each meeting, providing a small group work environment to allow the opportunity to network with colleagues effectively.
Even though our initial impetus for setting up the group was the support of newly qualified GPs, our group members are now a diverse mix of GPs at different stages of their careers. Some are partners, some are salaried GPs and others are locums. This diversity has become the key to the success of our group, as it has given members the opportunity to get practical advice from each other. For example, a principal can advise on issues around QOF and on partnership agreements, etc; a salaried GP can discuss different terms of conditions of their employment and locum GPs have an opportunity to network for work. This is the reason why I named this group Young Practitioners Group rather than the traditional name—Young Principals Group.
What topics to cover?
There isn't any prescriptive list of topics that our group covers. It is up to the learning needs of the group and should be discussed and reviewed frequently. There are plenty of topics to which registrars have little or no exposure during training. Some examples of evenings that we have arranged so far include usual topics, an evening with an experienced GP who is also a key member of the Primary Care Trust, a session with an accountant, and another with a public health consultant. We have also had case discussions, and a Christmas quiz.
What are the advantages of such groups?
For an individual, there is a wealth of benefits including socializing, networking and learning in a welcoming, friendly, educational forum, which is set up in a very relaxed environment. Also, you get to know about the potential jobs in the area. These groups help members to understand medical politics both locally and nationally.
As an organizer, I have found that it provides an opportunity to network not only with GP colleagues but also with secondary care colleagues. It has helped me to relieve some of the professional isolation and the potential monotony of every day general practice. It has also allowed me to develop and enhance leadership, organizational and communication skills. It has been a stepping stone to develop further interest in education as I have recently become an associate programme director for the Pennine General Practice Speciality Training scheme.
Are there any hurdles in the journey?
I have not encountered many hurdles but finding time to organize the meetings and getting funding are a few of the problems you may encounter in running the group. Also you will need to consider the impact on your family life as you will be spending some time on this project.
How might it be improved further?
It is all down to the learning needs of the group and should be discussed with the team members frequently. We have decided recently that we should give more importance to prepare for revalidation and relicensing.
The RCGP is in the process of developing a programme of support for newly qualified GPs up to 5 years post-Certificate of Completion of Training. It is called First5. Meanwhile, I hope that this article inspires more young GPs to form/join Young Practitioners Groups in their local area.
Key points
Do some groundwork. Find out about groups that have run in the past. What worked well, what failed, where did they meet, etc? Send invitation emails well in advance to all GPs in the local area through the PCT communications team. This may have to be circulated several times in order to get a sufficient number of replies. Make sure you reply to the initial mails individually. Be clear of date, time and venue of the meeting. Also keep an eye on local educational events as you do not want yours to clash with another meeting. Explore any funding available from the PCT or other organizations to run the group Keep the first meeting for introductions, future planning, etc Always involve the group members in choosing topics and speakers Remember the key to success is effective communication and choosing topics suitable to the needs of the group. Consider setting up an email group like a ‘yahoo group’. Keep the group open to new members unless you already have big numbers Review the learning needs of the group regularly and plan meetings accordingly Finally, make sure you get regular feedback from the group after each meeting.
Footnotes
Acknowledgements
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members of PYPG, our local medical community especially Prof Lord, Dr Hasanie, Dr Aggarwal and Dr Matt Smith. I would like to thank Saima Khan from Derma UK for her continued support towards the successful running of the group. Last but not least, I am so grateful to my wife Dr Madhuri Navuluri, my son Viswa and daughter Nidhi who let me spend time on projects like this.