Survival Skills for GPs PDF

PREFACE

General practice is no longer the job it once was. GPs have progressed from paper and pen to computers and information technology, from isolated single-handed practices to supportive partnerships, from relative autonomy to team work. In theory, these changes and many others resulting from the restructuring of primary care and the NHS should make the working conditions for GPs and their practice team easier. There are more effective treatments, other health professionals with whom to share the workload, information and evidence about best practice literally at your finger tips on the keyboard, practice managers to take on responsibility for the organisational side of general practice, and a shift from home visiting to surgery consultations.

But changes which are immense, swift and sometimes imposed, typically result in stress and turmoil for the individuals concerned. The gradual erosion of their autonomy has been stressful for many GPs who were used to being in control of their own working practices before guidelines or audit were in vogue, let alone before clinical governance was thought of. Loss of control is one of the three main components of stress, the other two parts being lack of support and high demands, both of which are usual features of today's general practice team.

Author: Ruth Chambers