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
  • To build long-term relationships with patients
  • Social responsibility or to support the community
  • Intellectually stimulating
  • Domestic circumstances
  • Self-appraisal of own skills/aptitudes
  • To work in rural and remote locations
  • Experience of jobs so far
  • To also study sub-specialties

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

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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