As a GP trainee I recently attended the 2014 London GP Trainee Conference. Prominent in the programme were the Excellence Awards. I marvelled at the achievements of some of my colleagues: dazzling research projects, numerous publications, and successful large-scale public heath campaigns overseas.
But some of us wondered about the true nature of excellence in general practice. Should we really be celebrating these outstanding successes with Excellence Awards? Is it possible that they may come at the expense of true proficiency at the Royal College curriculum? Perhaps it is the humbler trainees who concentrate on core general practice, who may be more on track to meet the needs of their patients.
As a doctor my CV may never match those of the award winners, but as a patient I know which type of GP I might prefer to see.