Where to start?
Its difficult to know what to do when, from wanting to apply for the scheme to knowing what to do every year in training. You may find the following links helpful if you want to become a GP.
- Studying Medicine – Training to become a Doctor
- National Careers Service – Doctor GP
- General Practice (GP) National Recruitment Office
- Yorks and Humber Deanery GP info Poster
This information has been taken from the applicant guidance on the The National Recruitment Office web site, to go into further details about recruitment as a GP trainee please use the links above.
The National Recruitment Office co-ordinates the nationally agreed and quality assured process for recruitment to GP Specialty Training Programmes. All submitted applications for GP specialty training will be assessed using a standard, national and consistent staged process outlined below. This is an established and well-researched selection process using modern methodologies that we are confident are fair, robust and fit for purpose. The competency based selection process allows applicants to demonstrate their abilities and suitability for GP training – applications are assessed by the demonstration of competencies as outlined in the national person specification.
Applicants are reminded that entry to GP specialty training is highly competitive. Information about competition ratios in previous rounds and the number of available vacancies in each LETB/deanery are available.
Applicants make one application for up to four preferred LETBs/deaneries.
Applications are long listed for eligibility using the entry criteria (Stage 1).
The short-listing method (Stage 2) involves undertaking a computer based assessment. Successful applicants will be matched in rank order to their highest available preferred LETB/deanery for the next stage of assessment (Stage 3) This then becomes the LETB/deanery that will make them an offer if successful. The system is designed to maximise the numbers of applicants successfully short-listed, and to maximise opportunities for successful appointment.
It is common sense advice that you should only apply for LETBs/deaneries you are happy to work in. In making those decisions, it might be worth researching the geography of the LETBs/deaneries carefully, particularly with regard to boundaries. You may be surprised to learn that a LETB/deanery you had not considered applying to actually has a scheme very close to the one that you selected in your first choice, which could then be considered as your second choice LETB/deanery. Links to individual LETB/deanery web sites are available from the LETB/deanery profile pages.
You are advised to read ALL the following information before you begin to complete the on-line application form so that you are familiar with the GP assessment and selection process and the essential entry requirements. You should also refer to our guide to applying online for help with the on-line application form.
Remember, you are applying for General Practice. You need to show:
Enthusiasm for General Practice
What do you like about it? Why are you good for general practice? (as opposed to general practice being good for you) Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years? What do you know about the current status of general practice? How do you see the future of general practice – the opportunities vs. the threats?
Adaptability to Change
You must be able to show that you are accepting of change and that change can have good and bad consequences. Can you give an example of how you reacted to an impending change at work?
Personal & Professional Development
You should be able to demonstrate reflective practice in your current work. You should be able to justify your views with reference to the evidence surrounding it. Remember, learning is not just knowledge; it’s about a change in skills and attitudes too. How do you assess your own performance at work? Is there anything you have done recently which you feel you could have done better or differently? How do you keep up to date?
Awareness of your own limitations
Awareness of your own limitations and when/where to seek further help. How do you cope with stress at work? What do you do when you are inundated with so many tasks at work?
You should be:
Patient centred
Able to justify your approaches based on critical evaluation of evidence from various sources (which may include ethical principles) and show a respect for life.
A good team player
After all, this is what general practice is all about. Can you give an example of how you have worked well in a team? What elements were essential for successful team working in that instance?