12 Oct 10
There were concerns a while ago that new GPs might struggle to secure jobs after graduation. My experience with the job market is to the contrary. The number of applicants in general practice has fallen and sadly continues to do so.
A vacuum has been created in the job market where the number of applicants for salaried posts, and even partnerships in some cases, has slumped from double-digit figures per post to hardly any. Many trusts in England have struggled to fill short-term and middle-grade posts across other specialities too.
This is partly down to the barring of training posts to non-EU applicants and the anticipated exodus to other countries, especially Australia, compounding the shortage created by the European Working Time Directive.
The situation in general practice is only expected to get worse now, with the more difficult new MRCGP examinations and the limited attempts candidates are allowed.
If you thought all we had to deal with was the squeeze on resources, spirits dampened by the white paper and the expected fall in pay, you should add a job crisis to the list.
It is going to make the changes in the NHS even more difficult to achieve, unless the floodgates for overseas doctors are opened again by our political masters as a quick fix.Dr Kamal Sidhu
Dr Kamal Sidhu, Castle Eden, Cleveland
Friday, 11 February 2011
Migrant cap will harm care
Migrant cap will harm care
11 Jan 11
The immigration cap proposed by the Government virtually excludes doctors from non-EU countries from working and training in the UK. It only adds to the current chaos and the perception of a lack of workforce planning across the NHS.
These changes have the potential to seriously undermine patient care.
Immigration policies have consistently been out of sync with the realities on the ground. I dread the impact of any such monthly caps on rotas of doctors. In general practice, it could have far-reaching consequences, adversely affecting the ability to meet workload and provide continuity of care.
General practice and hospitals have faced significant shortages in the last couple of years since the visa rules brought in by the previous government have started to take effect. This Government has chosen to ignore a potential crisis.
We need a fair, consistent policy. Is an effective and transparent strategy to deliver the workforce that is needed really too much to ask for?
From Dr Kamal Sidhu
Blackhall and Peterlee
11 Jan 11
The immigration cap proposed by the Government virtually excludes doctors from non-EU countries from working and training in the UK. It only adds to the current chaos and the perception of a lack of workforce planning across the NHS.
These changes have the potential to seriously undermine patient care.
Immigration policies have consistently been out of sync with the realities on the ground. I dread the impact of any such monthly caps on rotas of doctors. In general practice, it could have far-reaching consequences, adversely affecting the ability to meet workload and provide continuity of care.
General practice and hospitals have faced significant shortages in the last couple of years since the visa rules brought in by the previous government have started to take effect. This Government has chosen to ignore a potential crisis.
We need a fair, consistent policy. Is an effective and transparent strategy to deliver the workforce that is needed really too much to ask for?
From Dr Kamal Sidhu
Blackhall and Peterlee
Can college be trusted with revalidation?
Letter of the week: Can college be trusted with revalidation?
09 Feb 11
Your recent story about the RCGP entrance exam was rather disturbing.
RCGP broke rules in toughening up exam
Grassroots GPs often find it hard to relate to the college, but its vital role in education and training has never been in question. That the RCGP raised the bar for success in the CSA while anticipating this would adversely affect pass figures has raised serious questions, giving credibility to the argument that the CSA has been grossly unfair and biased against doctors not trained in the UK. I am worried this can be perceived as discrimination.
The change also meant practices have continued to face recruitment problems, which can potentially be unsafe for patients.
No one questions the intention to improve the quality of GPs coming out of training, but changes should have been implemented from the bottom to the top. The college needs to explain to GPs what pilots were done to assess the impact of the change and what arrangements put in place to support trainees and training schemes adversely affected.
If there is a subgroup that lags behind in communication skills, it should be supported, not punished.
The approach should have been to raise the bar to entry to the general practice training programme, as that would have been more cost-effective, safer for the public and fairer to trainees.
Without a change in approach, GPs like me will doubt not only the college’s exams for new entrants, but also its role in the much bigger task of revalidation for existing GPs. If it can’t treat its children fairly, how much faith can grown-ups have?
From Dr Kamal Sidhu
Peterlee, County Durham
09 Feb 11
Your recent story about the RCGP entrance exam was rather disturbing.
RCGP broke rules in toughening up exam
Grassroots GPs often find it hard to relate to the college, but its vital role in education and training has never been in question. That the RCGP raised the bar for success in the CSA while anticipating this would adversely affect pass figures has raised serious questions, giving credibility to the argument that the CSA has been grossly unfair and biased against doctors not trained in the UK. I am worried this can be perceived as discrimination.
The change also meant practices have continued to face recruitment problems, which can potentially be unsafe for patients.
No one questions the intention to improve the quality of GPs coming out of training, but changes should have been implemented from the bottom to the top. The college needs to explain to GPs what pilots were done to assess the impact of the change and what arrangements put in place to support trainees and training schemes adversely affected.
If there is a subgroup that lags behind in communication skills, it should be supported, not punished.
The approach should have been to raise the bar to entry to the general practice training programme, as that would have been more cost-effective, safer for the public and fairer to trainees.
Without a change in approach, GPs like me will doubt not only the college’s exams for new entrants, but also its role in the much bigger task of revalidation for existing GPs. If it can’t treat its children fairly, how much faith can grown-ups have?
From Dr Kamal Sidhu
Peterlee, County Durham
Top ten educational articles on GPonline.com
We have ranked the most read education articles between January 2010 and December 2010.
Top 10 education articles in 2010
1. Consultation models in practice
Dr Lynda Carter explains how to incorporate consultation models into your 10-minute consultation.
2. Ten new skills to boost your CV
Dr Kamal Sidhu suggests enhancing your professional development to stand out from the crowd.
3. CSA practice case - Low mood in a menopausal patient
For use individually or in a study group with someone playing the doctor, patient and assessor. Dr Prashini Naidoo sets out briefs, a marking guide and a debrief for this CSA practice case.
4. Consultation skills - Talking about sexual health
Tried and tested methods make raising the topic of sexual health less daunting.
5. Consultation skills – Consulting with elderly patients
It is vital that GPs feel confident when dealing with this group of patients, explains Dr Anna Cumisky.
6. Medico-legal – Documenting non-clinical factors
Record non-clinical factors clearly and accurately, says MPS adviser Dr Jayne Molodynski.
7. Effective consulting – Part 3 – Sharing an understanding
In this series on consulting skills, Dr Peter Tate discusses common scenarios you can watch online.
8. Consulting with deaf patients
GPs can improve how they approach patients who are deaf or hard of hearing, explains Laura Foreman.
9. Sitting the applied knowledge test
Dr James Larcombe describes what to expect in the AKT and how best to prepare for the big day.
10. GP training – Getting the most out of your GP trainer
Dr Prashini Naidoo and Dr Jemma Austin offer their respective views on trainer-trainee relationships.
Source: GPonline.com - between January and December 2010 (all users)
Top 10 education articles in 2010
1. Consultation models in practice
Dr Lynda Carter explains how to incorporate consultation models into your 10-minute consultation.
2. Ten new skills to boost your CV
Dr Kamal Sidhu suggests enhancing your professional development to stand out from the crowd.
3. CSA practice case - Low mood in a menopausal patient
For use individually or in a study group with someone playing the doctor, patient and assessor. Dr Prashini Naidoo sets out briefs, a marking guide and a debrief for this CSA practice case.
4. Consultation skills - Talking about sexual health
Tried and tested methods make raising the topic of sexual health less daunting.
5. Consultation skills – Consulting with elderly patients
It is vital that GPs feel confident when dealing with this group of patients, explains Dr Anna Cumisky.
6. Medico-legal – Documenting non-clinical factors
Record non-clinical factors clearly and accurately, says MPS adviser Dr Jayne Molodynski.
7. Effective consulting – Part 3 – Sharing an understanding
In this series on consulting skills, Dr Peter Tate discusses common scenarios you can watch online.
8. Consulting with deaf patients
GPs can improve how they approach patients who are deaf or hard of hearing, explains Laura Foreman.
9. Sitting the applied knowledge test
Dr James Larcombe describes what to expect in the AKT and how best to prepare for the big day.
10. GP training – Getting the most out of your GP trainer
Dr Prashini Naidoo and Dr Jemma Austin offer their respective views on trainer-trainee relationships.
Source: GPonline.com - between January and December 2010 (all users)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)