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  1. Become a GP
  3. Why be a GP

Why be a GP

Are you interested in varied clinical work and passionate about continuity of patient care and communities? Are you looking for a dynamic, interesting specialty? Then a career in General Practice is for you!
AGPT pathway stories
Preparing for GP training
GP trainee stories on YouTube

What a GP career can offer

General Practice is a great choice if you want a career that is filled with diverse learning and employment opportunities, including:

  • Sub-specialise – in anything from paediatrics to palliative care
  • Flexibility – work where you want and when you want
  • Variety – every day is different
  • Continuity of care – really get to know your patients
  • Support –  dynamic and supportive working environment
  • Business opportunities – manage your own business
  • Rewards – complex and challenging experiences

Top 10 reasons to become a GP

In the recently-released National Registrar Survey* our current GP trainees gave the following reasons for choosing to become a GP specialist:

  • Hours/working conditions
  • Diversity of patients and medical presentations
  • Building long-term relationships with patients
  • Social responsibility/supporting the community
  • Intellectually stimulating
  • Domestic circumstances
  • Self-appraisal of own skills/aptitudes
  • Working in rural and remote locations
  • Previous experience of general practice
  • Ability to also study sub-specialties

*Source: Australian General Practice Training Program 2020 National Registrar Survey – Australian Council for Education Research – March 2021

See the GPRA’s ‘GP Myths Busted’ article

Why the rural pathway?

Our GP trainees told us about the best aspects of training on the rural pathway in our Western Victoria footprint*:

  • Exposure to a range of cases/patients
  • Clinical or procedural experience
  • Being part of a community
  • Appealing practice location
  • Opportunity to train in a rural or regional location
  • Autonomy and sense of responsibility
  • Developing skills and increasing confidence
  • Lifestyle
  • Continuity of care and holistic approach
  • Being able to work in a hospital

*Source: Australian General Practice Training Program 2020 National Registrar Survey – Australian Council for Education Research – March 2021

GP stories

See our GP trainees, medical educators and newly-fellowed GPs on YouTube here and why they love being a GP.

Featured is practicing Melbourne GP, Dr Jacinta O’Neill.

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