After 27 years as a partner and 15 years as a trainer in general practice I retired last year at the age of 57. Prior to taking this step I reflected carefully on why I was making this decision. Articles in February’s journal accurately sum up my thoughts and reasons.1 If I had not jumped when I did, then I could well have been one of those boiled frogs.
This week I have been helping locally with GP recruitment. The calibre of those wishing to become GPs has been very high. I have been very impressed by their performance. I would strongly advise them to consider the boiling-frogs analogy.1 I hope employers, governments, and the profession can come together to produce a future for these bright young things.
REFERENCE
- 1.Doran N, Fox F, Rodham K, et al. Lost to the NHS: a mixed methods study of why GPs leave practice early in England. Br J Gen Pract. 2016 doi: 10.3399/bjgp16X683425. http://bjgp.org/content/66/643/e128. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]