A lifetime of rewards

GENERAL practitioners have the privilege of caring for patients over their entire lifetime — something that is not experienced by any other medical professional.

Angela Burden, medical education operations director for GP training organisation GPEx, says continuity of patient care is a key reason why medical graduates choose to specialise as a GP and she believes it provides a more meaningful career than other medical specialities.

“As a GP, you are the primary point of contact for your community and are instrumental in helping generations to stay healthy and happy over a lifetime, something that is not offered by any other speciality,’’ Burden says.

“Being able to make a difference in a community and seeing better health outcomes for patients makes for a very rewarding career.’’

Burden says becoming a GP is highly satisfying, with doctors treating patients across a range of ages and health concerns.

“Doctors specialise in general practice because they wish to be challenged in all areas of medicine — no two days are the same, resulting in an intellectually stimulating and rewarding professional career,’’ she says.

“They are the primary point of contact for their community members … they have the opportunity to treat patients at an individual level, as well as the whole family.’’

Burden says while GPs see a variety of ailments, they may develop areas of specific interest, such as providing emergency, anaesthetic or obstetric services in rural hospitals, overseeing renal dialysis in remote indigenous communities or working with refugees or homeless people.

Once qualified, GPs can work throughout Australia in GP clinics, hospitals or a variety of health services catering for specific members of the community.

They can also move into areas of teaching and research or medico-politics, Burden says.

Dr Emily Kirkpatrick says being a GP has been extremely rewarding.

“I love putting on my detective hat, interviewing the patient, examining the evidence, gathering expert specialist opinions, coordinating my approach with investigations and then channelling my inner Sherlock to make a diagnosis,’’ she says.

“Anything’s possible in general practice. There is endless variety. You are at the front line of healthcare,’’ Dr Kirkpatrick said.