| Product: |
Useful Qualifications |
| Date: |
11.10.01 (48 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Easy professional exam, Relevant education
Disadvantages: Expense of modules., Can be confusing
The path to General Practice Prinicpal is not particularly clear at first, but once you look into it, it is fairly straight forward.
Step 1 - Training
You need to be GMC registered, have completed your pre-registration house-officer posts, and then either join a recognised Vocational Training Scheme (Loads dotted around the country), or make up your own SHO posts. Obvious choices would include Obs/Gynae, Paeds and A&E, but consider ENT/Ophth/Derm, Psych, Care of Elderly... The easiest way is to join a scheme, because your hospital training is mapped out from the start.
Step 2 - Summative Assessment
SA is the compulsory component of GP training, and you have to pass it in order to be given the JCPTGP (Joint Certificate in Postgraduate Training for General Practice). The components are MCQ paper, Audit, Video Consultations, Trainer's Report and Evidence of Hospital Post Experience. All of these must be passed in order to become a GP. Best source of information is the local GP deanery.
Step 3 - MRCGP
The Royal College Exam is not compulsary (yet), but the general feeling is that it should be done. Obvious drawbacks include the cost of taking it (£200 per module), and the fact that time is taken away from summative assessment, meaning you could, potentially, fail both! The exam has a reasonably good pass rate (around 75%), and generally people find it beneficial, particularly in terms of employment at the end of the registrar year. There are 4 modules, Video Consultations, MCQ, Written and Oral.
Step 4 - Others
It is a good idea to build up a collection of other qualifications and certificates throughout your training - many practices look for these in potential employees.
i) Obstetric List - automatically qualify by doing 6 months Obs/Gynae
ii) Minor Surgery - potentially, you could get your A&E consultant (if you do A&E) to sign you off. If he's a bastard, like mine, you have
to do a seperate course.
iii) Child Health Surveillance - do the course & practical sessions.
iv) Family planning - course & practicals
v)DCH - Diploma in Child Health - could do this during paeds?
vi)DipOG - Diploma in Obs/Gynae - could do this during obs/gynae?
As you can see, there are lots of options, and I've only skimmed the surface. If you want more details, I may elaborate in the future...
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