Abstract
2020. A challenging year for everyone, not least GP Trainees. The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced an unprecedented year of change for GP training – we have been introduced to a new exam, a new portfolio, a seismic shift in the way we all consult and changes to our Workplace-based Assessment (WBPA). This has all been delivered in the context of high and ever-increasing GP demand, shielding and worry about our family and friends. It’s shown us change can and often needs to happen fast.
We think the focus moving forward needs to be on future-proofing training.
We would like to start by thanking many of you. First thanks go to Anthony James for steering trainees through such difficult and challenging times. We would also like to thank all of you who voted for us. We can but only hope that our year won’t be quite as exciting as Anthony’s!
We are the first AiTs to be elected as Co-Chairs. We are lucky enough to have both worked together on several projects prior to this and have held local, regional and national leadership positions previously.
So, what are we going to do?
Well for those who don’t know, the AiT Chair role involves a triad of activities.
Attending National College and external meetings, representing the trainee voice in the places where the important decisions get made about our training and the future of General Practice. We also link in and liaise with the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, British Medical Association, Health Education England and other key stakeholders. Coordinating the AiT Advisory Network. The ‘committee’ has been renamed as an Advisory Network. Being a network, the approach is slightly different to a committee. We anticipate it will be made up principally of lead representatives from regional faculty areas initially. There will also be the added option for enthusiastic AiTs who are keen to get involved nationally to self-nominate to be included in the network. We plan for this group to be connected via social media on an ongoing basis, but also to touch base with virtual face-to-face catch-ups on a monthly basis to check in about issues and feedback on college activity. Events and campaigns. We hope to continue Anthony’s successful campaigns, such as #CelebrAiT and #GPReady, as well as introducing a few of our own events as well.
We can’t achieve and change everything in one year, but we have two particular ambitions for the roll: First, diversifying leadership and the trainee voice in college; and second, supporting transition from training to qualified GP. It’s easy to get consumed by exams, portfolio and WPBAs, but ensuring trainees feel well prepared for the step up to be a locum, salaried or partner GP is an area we want to develop and strengthen.
So, what do we need from you?
Communicate your views, comments and concerns to us. You can do this by downloading and interacting with the Telegram messaging app, via Twitter or via your representatives. If you are enthusiastic and have time to give, then please join the Advisory Network or email ait.chair@rcgp.com. Help support events and let us know if there is anything you think would be useful for trainees that isn’t already supported or catered for.
We look forward to hearing from you and working with trainees on issues relevant to our training. Here’s to an exciting year ahead!
ORCID iD
Dr Sophie Lumley https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1451-2707