Blog

Choosing the Best SCA Course

sca course

Are you a GP trainee preparing for the MRCGP SCA exam? Choosing a preparatory course that fits your needs is crucial. With a wide range of courses with differing price points, making an informed decision may not be easy. In this article, we’ll explore the key factors to consider when choosing an SCA (Simulated Consultation Assessment) course for MRCGP preparation.

Cost-Effective

It’s essential not to confuse the costs of a course with the value. Cost is what you pay and value is what you receive. A course may initially appear expensive but provides outstanding value with expert guidance and a proven methodology with high pass rates. A budget-friendly course might seem tempting to save on cost. However, if the course turns out to be insufficient to address your learning needs, it might not be a cost-effective decision.

A good course provides value that exceeds its cost. Investing in cost-effective preparation course can ultimately save you from exam resits fee, which can be more expensive in the long run.

Learning Methods

Every trainee has unique learning preferences and styles. When choosing a course for SCA preparation, it’s vital to consider the teaching methods in use. Common methods include traditional didactic teaching, online courses, hybrid models and one-day courses. Here’s a brief overview of each:

1. Didactic Teaching:

Pros: Expert guidance and structured learning

Cons: Limited personal interaction, one-size fit all approach and passive

2. Online Courses:

Pros: Study at your own pace, access to a wide range of resources, and often lower costs Cons: Limited personal interaction and potential distractions

3. Hybrid Courses:

Pros: Combines the best of both worlds, offering structure and flexibility

Cons: May be more expensive than purely didactic teaching

4. One-Day Courses:

Pros: Intensive and focused for quick revision or addressing specific weaknesses

Cons: May not suffice as a stand-alone preparation method

Select a learning method that aligns with your style and preferences. Many SCA courses now offer blended options to cater to diverse audiences, striking a balance between structure and flexibility.

Group Vs 1:1 Coaching

Personalised coaching is a game-changer in MRCGP preparation. One-to-one coaching can offer tailored guidance, addressing your specific strengths and weaknesses. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Small Group Coaching:

Pros: Collaborative learning, shared experiences, and collective problem-solving

Cons: May not cater to individual learning needs as effectively as one-on-one coaching

2. One-to-one Coaching:

Pros: Highly personalised, tailored to your specific needs, and focused on your weak areas

Cons: Higher cost than group coaching

Choose between small group and one-on-one coaching based on your learning style and needs. Collaborative learners might benefit from small group coaching, while those needing a personalised approach may opt for one-on-one coaching.

Level of Support

Ensuring ongoing support and guidance in your SCA preparation is vital. Seek programmes that provide post-course support, access to resources, and additional learning opportunities even after course completion. Continuity helps consolidate knowledge and address lingering questions or challenges.

Look for courses offering post-course follow-up sessions, mentorship, or discussion forums to connect with instructors and fellow trainees. This support system can be invaluable in the weeks leading up to the exam, keeping you on track and confidently tackling any remaining uncertainties.

Conclusion

Selecting the right SCA course for MRCGP exam preparation is a crucial decision in your path to becoming a successful General Practitioner. Consider cost-effectiveness, learning style, learning needs, and the availability of follow-up and continuity in the course. Don’t hesitate to reach out to current or former trainees for recommendations and reviews. Investing in a high-quality course will increase your chances of MRCGP exam success and prepare you well for your future as a GP. Best of luck with your MRCGP journey!

How Dr Lawrence passed SCA?

After a failed SCA attempt with a score of 69, Dr Lawrence’s confidence was crushed. Check out how Dr Lawrence conquered SCA after this major setback.

Dr Lawrence’s Case-study

SCA Exam Prep: 9 Tips For a Clear Pass

SCA exam prep

Are you looking for actionable tips to prep for the MRCGP SCA (Simulated Consultation Assessment)?

Sitting this exam can be daunting, especially if it’s your first attempt or if you’re feeling anxious and uncertain. In this article, we’ll break down nine practical tips to help you kickstart your preparation and increase your chances of success.

Plan and Prepare Early

Successful GP trainees start with meticulous planning. Consider the time you need to prepare based on your exam date. Allocate at least three months of solid preparation. Adequate preparation is the foundation of your success.

Embed Sound Consultation Practice

Early exposure to consultations and gaining experience is vital. By learning and practicing consultation skills, you can embed good practice and make them second nature. The goal is to develop an instinct you can rely when facing challenges during the exam.

Structure Your Consultation

Structure is key to organise your consultation. Familiarise yourself with various consultation models like Calgary-Cambridge, Neighbour and Berne’s model. Test them and develop your framework by borrowing elements that suit your style. A structured approach ensures a systematic and efficient consultation process.

Minimise Overthinking

During the early stages of learning, overthinking can hinder your progress. When you learnt to drive I bet you it felt overwhelming in the begining – excessive internal conversations can distract you. Focus on reducing internal noise to direct your attention effectively.

Ask Great Questions

Effective questioning is fundamental. It’s vital to balance open, closed, and facilitative questions. Open questions are great for initial part of data gathering, while closed questions are more suitable for specific enquiries. Facilitative questions encourage detailed responses without leading the patient.

Practise Active Listening

Active listening is a crucial skill. It’s vital to give patients your full, undivided attention. Quiet your mind and stay focused on what the patient is saying, not on your internal thoughts or distractions.

Learn to Prioritise

Prioritising is essential for complex consultations. I suggest you prioritise early in the consultation, based on urgency and importance. This ensures that you and your patient address the most critical issues first. Additionally, when safety netting, be specific and realistic about what to expect and when to seek medical advice.

Talk through a Smile

Smiling while you talk conveys enthusiasm and friendliness through your voice. This approach helps build rapport, gain patient trust and create a positive energy.

I hope these actionable tips optimise your consultation skills, and increase your confidence in tackling this critical exam. Remember, success in the SCA requires dedication, structured learning, and effective communication skills. Need help with your exam prep? You might like to check our free SCA Resources

Bonus Tip

Seek support from colleagues who have passed or are also sitting the SCA. Talking with other colleagues who have faced similar challenges can be incredibly helpful. If you would like support from a community of GPs and GPSTs, join our Facebook Support Group

How Dr Lawrence passed SCA?

After a failed SCA attempt with a score of 69, Dr Lawrence’s confidence was crushed. Check out how Dr Lawrence conquered SCA after this major setback.

Dr Lawrence’s Case-study

How to Consult in 12 Minutes for the SCA Exam

Are you preparing for SCA Exam? Consulting within 12 minutes is challenging for many GP trainees. Recently, I spoke with a GP registrar whose SCA preparation has hit a brick wall. He struggled to drive his consultation forward, often getting flustered and running out of time. After an in-depth analysis, we identified a major weakness in his consultations – a lack of structure.

sca exam

The Importance of Structure

Without a structured approach, consultations can easily spiral out of control. So, how can you consult more effectively for SCA exam? This article explores three valuable consultation models that can transform your consultation skills.

Consultation Models

1. Pendleton’s Model

The Pendleton Model, one of the pioneering patient-centered models, emphasises involving the patient in the management plan. It outlines seven crucial tasks within a consultation:

1. Define the reason for the patient’s attendance: Understanding why the patient is seeking help is essential.

2. Consider other problems: Patients often have multiple issues, so screen for additional concerns.

3. Choose an appropriate action for each problem: Prioritise which problems to address during the consultation.

4. Achieve a shared understanding: Understand the patient’s perspective to make informed decisions together.

5. Involve the patient in the management: Encourage patient involvement and shared responsibility for their care.

6. Use time and resources appropriately: Distinguish between patient needs and wants to optimize resource utilization.

7. Establish or maintain a relationship: Building rapport is essential for positive outcomes.

2. Neighbour’s Model

In the Inner consultation, Neighbour proposed a five-stage framework that aligns with the natural flow of a consultation:

1. Connecting: Establish rapport and a connection with the patient.

2. Summarising: Summarise the patient’s concerns to ensure clarity and alignment.

3. Handing over: Transition smoothly to the next phase of the consultation.

4. Safety netting: Provide guidance on when and how the patient should seek medical attention.

5. Housekeeping: Manage your emotions and prepare for the next consultation.

3. Calgary-Cambridge Guide

The Calgary-Cambridge Model is another patient-centered approach, organised into five stages:

1. Initiating the session: Start the consultation effectively, setting the stage for collaboration.

2. Gathering information: Collect relevant data and listen actively to the patient’s narrative.

3. Physical examination: If necessary, conduct a physical examination.

4. Explanation and planning: Discuss findings and create a shared plan with the patient.

5. Closing the session: Conclude the consultation while ensuring the patient’s questions and concerns are addressed.

Building Relationships and Providing Structure

In addition to the stages, both the Neighbour and Calgary-Cambridge models emphasize building a strong doctor-patient relationship and maintaining structure throughout the consultation. They incorporate the psychosocial aspects of a patient’s life, ensuring a holistic approach to care.

Creating Your Consultation Style

Each consultation model has its merits, and none is perfect. Consider experimenting with different models and adapting components that work best for you. I suggest you develop your unique consultation style that combines the strengths of these models while aligning with your personality and patient needs.

Conclusion

Mastering consultation models is a vital step toward success in the MRCGP SCA exam. These frameworks provide structure, enhance patient-centered care, and improve your overall consultation skills. As you progress in your medical career, you’ll find that these models empower you to navigate challenging consultations with confidence.

Need help with the SCA?

You might like to check our free SCA Resources

SCA Exam GP Tips from Neighbour

mrcgp sca

The MRCGP SCA exam (Simulated Clinical Assessment) has evolved to meet the new needs of general practice. In this interview, Dr Roger Neighbour, renowned teacher on the skills of communication with a deep understanding of GP consultation, provides his insights into the Simulated Consultation Assessment.

We cover the changing landscape of consultation skills, common pitfalls in listening, and the importance of mastering your craft for success in the MRCGP SCA.

If you like to discover valuable insights to help you excel in your MRCGP SCA preparation, you are in for a treat.

Embracing the Shift to SCA Exam

The RCGP exam has undergone a transformation, moving from traditional face-to-face consultations to online video and telephone consults, primarily conducted in candidates’ own or nearby surgeries. This change eliminates the need for costly travel and makes the process more convenient for GP trainees.

Evolution of Consultation Skills

Before the pandemic, most GP consultations were face-to-face. However, the shift towards remote consultations brought about significant changes in the consultation landscape. Now, a significant number of consultations are conducted remotely, primarily over telephone. This shift necessitates that trainees adapt to new models and skill sets.

The Art of Effective Listening

Effective listening is a vital skill for GP trainees, especially during consultations. Common pitfalls include being too caught up in internal dialogue and overthinking. As trainees progress, they ought to learn reducing internal noise and direct their attention outward, fostering better patient interactions.

The Importance of Timing and Preparation

Trainees often feel pressured to take exams prematurely due to the intense pressure in ST3 year. However, it is crucial to invest time and effort in learning and practicing consultation skills to the point where they become second nature. This approach allows candidates to perform confidently during the SCA.

How is your preparation going?

In preparing for the MRCGP SCA, trainees need to adapt to the changing landscape of modern general practice. By embracing the transformation, focusing on effective listening, and mastering their craft through practice, candidates can navigate the SCA successfully, even in familiar surroundings. Preparing for the SCA is not just about controlling every word but allowing your skills to shine naturally when it matters most.

How Dr Yoginee passed SCA?

Dr Yoginee was consumed by self-doubts and fears. Check out how she conquered her fears and passed SCA on her first attempt.

Dr Yoginee’s Case-study

How to pass SCA?

SCA preparation

Preparing for the MRCGP Simulated Consultation Assessment can be challenging for a lot of GP trainees. Finding the time to revise, staying motivated and practicing for SCA can feel overwhelming.

If you haven’t been taught the essentials of remote consulting, it can be dauting to navigate phone or video consultations. Every GPST needs to develop their consulting skill in managing challenging and complex cases to succeed their final MRCGP exam.

Roger Neighbour’s Top Tips

Roger Neighbour introduced groundbreaking concepts including safety netting and housekeeping in The Inner Consultation. This book has transformed the way we approach patient care. Safety netting is crucial to manage the degree of uncertainty in general practice.

Effective communication is vitally important in General Practice. It’s the lifeblood that keeps everything running smoothly. It can be difficult to build rapport remotely but it doesn’t stop a clinician from providing compassionate care without seeing a patient. Neighbour believes in treating patients as whole individuals, focusing not just on their medical needs but also on their emotional well-being.

There is a risk GP trainees can be overtaught in the early stage of learning consultation models. When someone first learns to drive a car, it can be overwhelming to think of all the tasks involved. However with exposure, some tasks can be internalised and become second nature. It is vital that GPSTs practice and refine consultation skills early so they can embed good practice for your exam.

In 1969 Matthew Broadwell, introduced 4 stages of learning to acquire a skill. This model applies to consultation skill.

  1. Unconscious Incompetence: At the beginning of any learning journey, we may not even realise what we don’t know. It’s the stage of blissful ignorance, where skills and knowledge gaps exist but are not recognised. Acknowledging this phase is the first step towards growth.
  2. Conscious Incompetence: As we delve deeper into our profession, we start to recognise our limitations and the areas where we need improvement. This can be a humbling experience but is crucial for growth. It’s where we consciously acknowledge what we don’t know and become motivated to learn.
  3. Conscious Competence: With dedicated effort, learning, practice and refinement, we begin to master the skills and knowledge. However, this competence requires conscious focus and effort. You’ve likely experienced this phase when certain tasks that once seemed daunting become second nature through practice and repetition.
  4. Unconscious Competence: Finally, we reach the stage where our skills and knowledge have become so ingrained that they flow naturally without conscious effort. Imagine the difference between driving a manual and an automaic car. It’s the stage of mastery, where you perform tasks effortlessly and instinctively.

If you are developing your communication and consultation skill for SCA, it is helpful to ask yourself what stage are you currently at. Found this article hepful, you might want to check MRCGP SCA resources we have for you.

How Dr Lawrence passed SCA?

After a failed SCA attempt with a score of 69, Dr Lawrence’s confidence was crushed. Check out how Dr Lawrence conquered SCA after this major setback.

Dr Lawrence’s Case-study

MRCGP SCA: 5 Common Pitfalls

Are you making these pitfalls?

By the end of this article you will learn what you can do to avoid them and pass the MRCGP SCA.

Failing to build rapport

It is more difficult to develop a genuine connection over the phone. This can affect the patient’s willingness to open up and share important details about their condition.

Start the conversation by introducing yourself and your role. Greet the patient. It helps to speak with a smile and a friendly tone. Confirm their name and date of birth to ensure that you are speaking to the correct person. Be mindful that there may be other people in the patient’s environment or they may be out and about. Check whether it’s a good time to start the consultation. Explain why you’ve called and that you’d like to ask some questions to see how you can help.

Incomplete medical history

Without being able to physically perform an examination, a doctor may take shortcuts and forget to ask key questions about the patient’s medical history. This can lead to misdiagnosis or incorrect treatment.

It’s important to make a safe assessment and consider a range of differentials. Ask red flag questions to exclude serious conditions. Jot down important issues you need to address so you don’t forget them.

Missing cues

It’s so easy to miss important non verbal cues such as changes in a patient’s breathing or tone of voice. Some of which may indicate a worsening of their condition.

I asked a 60-year-old man over the phone about the impact of work on his illness. I heard a long sigh before he said it was fine. The sigh turned out to be a cue. Had I not picked up the non verbal cue, I would not have learnt about the stress he experienced because of pressure from his boss.

To ensure effective communication, active listening is critical. Pay close attention to what patients say and how they say something. Pick up on verbal and non verbal cues

Are you looking for dedicated guidance? You might be interested in Consultation Blueprint, our comprehensive programme to help you with your exam.

Inadequate communication

Some doctors have a tendency to use medical jargon or complicated terms such as FBC, TFT and PSA. Patients may get confused since they don’t understand these medical terms.

The choice of language is critical. Use the patient’s own words in your explanation. This will help them understand what you wish to convey. Avoid using jargon where possible. Chunk and check to ensure your advice is understood.

Not taking into account the patient’s unique circumstances

Its more tricky to fully understand a patient’s unique circumstances without seeing the latter, such as their living situation or support network. It’s important to consider these factors when making treatment recommendations or providing medical advice. For example, a patient may refuse to be admitted because he is worried of leaving his cat alone.

If you found these tips helpful, you will probably find our free 7-Day SCA Teaching useful. Claim your Free SCA Blueprint and start applying proven strategies to get ahead in your MRCGP SCA revision.

My Story: From Shy to Confident Speaker

Watch the video on YouTube

As a child, I was a timid soul. The mere thought of speaking in front of others sent shivers down my spine. My heart would race as I worried about what others might think.

The Shiest student of the year

Growing up, my shyness was so pronounced that in my sixth-form year, I was voted the shiest student of the year. Being introverted and shy, I was petrified of social interactions. Speaking with confidence was a distant dream, something that seemed unattainable to me.

Confronting my fear of public speaking

Rewind to my days at medical school, where I was the quiet one in class. My tutors would often encourage me to contribute more during group discussions. But it wasn’t until my second year of university when I was part of a peer mentoring group, that I truly faced my fear of public speaking.

We were asked to give a talk in a lecture theatre filled with over 400 students, with little notice. It was a daunting and overwhelming experience. I didn’t know what to say and my words stumbled out of my mouth. Walking away from that embarrassment, I made a promise to myself that I would never let that happen again.

Stepping outside my comfort zone

Like most people, I didn’t know how to speak on stage. After that one bad experience, I could have avoided putting myself in similar situations. Instead of letting this haunt me, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and take action. I enrolled in a public speaking course to learn how to prepare, craft, and deliver speeches.

In the past, I focused a lot on what others might think of me and was overly self-conscious, known as the spotlight effect. I found it helpful to stop focusing inward and instead focus outward on the message I was conveying to the audience.

Developing new skills is never easy. Like any other skill, to be good at public speaking, one needs to practice and improve. I took every opportunity to practice by volunteering to present, seeking feedback and analysing great speakers to learn their techniques.

Fast forward a few years, and I’ve conquered my fear of public speaking. It has opened new opportunities such as the thrill of speaking about wellbeing in front of healthcare professionals and managers at conferences.

​
​Join Fulfilled Friday Club 😀

Subscribe to receive a dose of happiness & success by email.

    If you don’t like Fulfilled Friday Newsletter, you can unsubscribe at any time.

    Seriously, no hard feelings. (We hate spam)

    Built with ConvertKit

    Sympathy Vs Empathy

    People often think sympathy and empathy are the same thing without realising they are very different concepts.

    Sympathy is an expression of care or concern for someone. In contrast, empathy is the ability to understand and feel the emotion of the other person. When you empathise, you understand the other person’s perspectives, predicament and share their emotions. According to Brené Brown, empathy fuels connection where as sympathy drives disconnection.

    A while ago, I was on a coaching call with a Doctor. Let’s call him Sam for confidentiality. Sam asked me whether I had any phrases he could use to be more empathetic. He didn’t know how to show empathy. This is a common problem I have observed among some doctors.

    Sympathy may be appropriate in certain situations but tend to be expressed in surface level conversation. If an acquaintance suffered a loss, expressing sympathy is a polite thing to do.

    People might say

    “I’m sorry to hear that.”

    “I’m really sorry for your loss!”

    When someone says I’m sorry to hear that it is often uttered in a transactional exchange. Moreover, the phrase doesn’t fulfil essential components to demonstrate empathy.

    Emotional and cognitive empathy

    To demonstrate empathy, it’s helpful to understand

    • Humans feel a need be heard.
    • Humans wants to be understood.
    • Humans need to feel someone can relate to their experience

    People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

    Maya Angelou

    Imagine a doctor consults Mr Smith who presents with severe abdominal pain.

    Doctor replies “I’m sorry to hear that” followed by an unrelated question “Who is at home with you?”

    If you were in Mr Smith’s shoes would you feel heard, understood or that the doctor related to your pain?

    Instead of “I’m sorry to hear that” a statement that reflects to the patient you can almost feel his pain would be more empatheric.

    Doctor replies “I can see this abdominal pain is awful Mr Smith. Has it stopped you from doing anything?”

    This empathetic response enables the patient and doctor to connect at a much deeper level than the first reply. The follow-up question offers the patient an opportunity to talk about the impact of the pain.

    Trying to use stock phrase to demonstrate empathy won’t be effective if you don’t mean what you say. You ought to be congruent with your emotions.

    People can easily pick up if someone is not being genuinely empathetic. The way you express yourself is as important as what words you use.

    How to convey empathy without words?

    Let’s imagine someone you know lost his dad. You give that person a hug. The proximity and touch communicate to the other person you share their emotions without the need for any verbal communication.

    So, I asked Sam if a family member were in severe pain, would you need a stock phrases to know what to day?

    When I saw Sam laughed I knew he understood empathy is not about what phrases to use but it’s about conveying what he naturally feels to another human being he cared deeply.

    ​
    ​Join Fulfilled Friday Club 😀

    Subscribe to receive a dose of happiness & success by email.

      If you don’t like Fulfilled Friday Newsletter, you can unsubscribe at any time.

      Seriously, no hard feelings. (We hate spam)

      Built with ConvertKit

      5 Benefits of writing

      Writing has been life-changing for me. It has helped me to sharpen my mind, learn more about myself and connect with some of you who enjoy my work. Today, I’d like to show you 5 benefits of writing.

      1. Boost your happiness

      Our mind is often focused on negatives. We get caught up by things that go wrong and overlook positive events in our life. Writing three good things that went well in a day increases our level of happiness. This practice trains the brain to notice positive things. In so doing, we create a space to savour goodness in life thereby making us feel a sense of gratitude.

      Writing down positive things about our life gives more permanence to fleeting events you might otherwise not remember.

      2. Build resilience

      During World War II, Viktor Frankl, an Austrian neurologist, was stripped of his identity and humanity by German Nazi. He survived the atrocities of concentration camp because he realised he needed to personally complete an important task.

      “When I was taken to the concentration camp of Auschwitz, a manuscript of mine ready for publication was confiscated. Certainly, my deep desire to write this manuscript anew helped me to survive the rigors of the camps I was in.” – Viktor E. Frankl

      Frankl considered this manuscript as his life work. When Frankl succumbed to typhoid fever in concentration camp, he wrote keywords from his manuscript on scraps of paper to keep his mind alert. In April of 1945, Frankl’s camp was liberated. He returned to Vienna only to discover his loved ones did not survive holocaust. Frankl showed incredible resilience in hardship. He wrote the best-selling book Man’s Search for Meaning that recounts his ordeal. Writing about difficult experience helps us cope better. Engaging in expressive writing builds resilience.

      3. Sharpen the mind

      The process of putting thoughts on a blank sheet of paper make them tangible. Great thinkers write. They don’t worry their writing might be crap. They expect it to be bad so they intentionally download their thoughts on paper. i.e vomit everything out. Once they have a draft, they edit it as many times needed. The process of editing and re-writing enables great thinkers to organise and articulate their thinking. Writing brings clarity to the mind.

      4. Communicate complex ideas clearly

      Sometimes we have ideas that seem confusing or difficult to express. When we draw a mind map and lay down these complex ideas, we can see them for what they are. The simple exercise of writing these ideas down and putting them on paper helps us think more clearly. When it’s clear to us it’s easier to communicate our ideas to others.

      ​
      ​Join Fulfilled Friday Club 😀

      Subscribe to receive a dose of happiness & success by email.

        If you don’t like Fulfilled Friday Newsletter, you can unsubscribe at any time.

        Seriously, no hard feelings. (We hate spam)

        Built with ConvertKit

        5. Learn about yourself

        ‘Who are you?’ is a question many people struggle to answer with clarity. In fact, most people don’t really know who they are because they haven’t thought about it deeply. Connecting with your inner thoughts and examining life is a profound exercise that can help you understand your true self.

        Journaling is a great practice to learn about oneself and self-reflect. Having spent the last few years writing down my honest thoughts in a notebook with little judgement has allowed for self-discovery. As a result, I have got to know myself better and developed a deeper understanding of my emotions, reactions and choices.

        Enjoyed this article, you might want to check out How GRATITUDE Can Transform Your Life: The Power of starting a Gratitude Journal video on YouTube.

        The secret to a fulfilling career

        So many doctors feel stuck working in a job not conducive to their health and wellbeing. Early in my career, I didn’t take good care of my wellbeing due to heavy workload and the enormous pressure. I was so busy to complete my never-ending list of jobs that I skipped meals and breaks. I knew if I continued on this path, my career was not sustainable.

        The challenges doctors face

        Medics are infamous for not looking after their wellbeing. We kind of know wellbeing is important but don’t prioritise it. This quote resonated with me “Put on your oxygen mask first”. In other words, look after your health and wellbeing first before attending to others’ needs.

        Chronic stress and burnout are major problems in the profession. A few weeks ago, I spoke with Dr Sana Khan, a GP registrar who suffered from crippling anxiety due to the stress and pressure of MRCGP exam. Her mental health went into a melt down. You can watch her story on YouTube.

        Creating the career of your dream

        Even though medicine is hard and requires a lot of sacrifices, I firmly believe every doctor can develop a fulfilling career. Being a portfolio GP has been by far one of the best career decisions I’ve made.

        I’ve pursued my passion for teaching. Being able to do something I enjoy that impacts others is truly fulfilling. Moreover, I have control over my time. If you want to create a future that inspires and excites you, a portfolio career might be the answer.

        I’m not saying developing a portfolio career is easy. If you are not prepared to put in time and effort then it’s not for you. However, if you are serious about creating a career that excites you, think about the benefits.

        Get paid to do something you enjoy

        You could be compensated to do meaningful work you enjoy. Most people are not satisfied with their situation yet they don’t do anything about it. Picture yourself doing the same thing for the next 10 years. If you are happy with that trajectory then good for you. If that’s not what you want then why not do something about it. You are one decision away from transforming your life.

        The World is your Oyster

        Opportunities to develop a portfolio career are endless. If you don’t have an interest, seek experience by trying various activities. During my training, I had an inclination for medical education since I enjoy learning. The best way to learn is by teaching.

        Being naturally an introvert, I intentionally developed my communication skills. It turns out some registrars also struggle with communication skills and need help. I’m grateful to combine my passion for teaching and purpose to help doctors lead a fulfilling life. Finding that sweet spot is very fulfilling.

        I hope this article inspires you to explore new opportunities and get closer to your goal. What is stopping you from your dream career?