The more I’ve been exposed to General Practice and hospital
work, the more I’m inclined towards going into GP in the future. Now don’t be
so quick to judge – I know a lot of people have a disdain towards GP and I have
to admit I had the same thoughts previously, but having done 5 GP placements
now in 3 years, with 4 out of 5 placements being incredibly positive, I’ve
developed a certain respect for GPs and fallen in love with what the career has
to offer (and it is WAY more than money!).
My current GP in 5th year is SO amazing that it’s
the first time I’ve actually felt like a proper doctor. I’ve had my own
consultations in previous GP placements before, but being in final year they’ve
actually blocked out appointments for me as I am allowed to independently run
my own consultations for the whole month. I manage patients and make my own
decisions (with approval from whichever doctor is tutoring me that day of
course), and the doctors actually take my opinions into account during
lunchtime meetings and patient discussions! The other staff members are equally
wonderful – they talk and joke with me like I’ve been there for ages. I’m being
taken care of so well at the practice, like today when I had a migraine and
they were all so concerned about me. The patients have done nothing but sing
praises of me, complimenting my English (I know I should feel patronised, but I
don’t because I don’t blame them!) and telling the doctors after that they
actually enjoy my consultations and that I get along very well with them. The
doctors themselves constantly encourage me by assuring me that I’m doing well
and am on the right track, and telling me how they appreciate my efficiency in
doing work (I think it all stems from my fast typing HAHA). I’ve never felt so
confident in medicine before.
I bet by now you must be thinking, “Of course you feel
confident, GP is so easy, just coughs and colds.” And while I hate to admit
that I have seen my fair share of chest infections especially now that winter is well on its way, I’ve actually referred a
patient for acute appendicitis, suspected an osteoporotic crush fracture, managed
a patient with a severe asthma attack who just refused to go to hospital and
seen a boy with Kawasaki’s disease and a young lady with carcinoid syndrome,
among many other things. I feel like I’ve gained so much in just 2 weeks.
Although there are 5 doctors at this practice, I am mainly tutored by 2 of them, both whom I absolutely love – they’re
both in their 50’s but they look like they’re in their early 40’s, seriously.
They are so good with their patients and have impeccable medical knowledge, and
you can clearly see that they enjoy their work and life in general. The male GP
loves talking to me about music (he plays the piano and the cello, and I the
piano and the violin) and sports (he knows that I swim and play tennis – so does
he – and he always tells me about his tennis/table tennis tournaments!), while
the lady GP and I mainly talk about travel, shopping and food. At 50 I think
she looks amazing and I admire her outfits and handbags! Very cool. Hehe.
Now that I’m almost done with medical school I’ve been
thinking about what I want out of medicine and what I want in life. I’m not
sure if I’d want to slave myself in hospital as a medical reg (which is
currently my top option) where I have to work long hours and have minimal time
with family, but at the same time I do love general internal medicine and a lot
of the cases you deal with in hospital are somewhat more... substantial? GP, on
the other hand, is so much more relaxing and flexible, and the rapport and
relationships with patients are so much more meaningful. And there’s no stress
of actually BEING in hospital and running around like a mad dog answering to
everyone. I think ultimately I want to have a nice life while I raise a family.
I don’t know. I guess I will have to wait and see whatever
comes my way after foundation years! After all, whatever will be will be. If I were to be a physician I can definitely go back to Malaysia without worrying. If I were to be a GP, I think I'll pursue a special interest with it, like gynae or derm. What I need to do now, though, is to pass and graduate next year!
PS: Notice this whole entry has proper sentences – capital letters
and all? Hahaha. That’s because I’ve typed it on MS Word! Looks strange doesn't it.
