::Clinical Observership in General Practice::

Generally an overseas junior doctor intending to work in the NHS UK, looks for a clinical observership in hospital (Secondary care). An alternative would be a clinical observership in a General Practice Surgery( Primary care). Dr Shahida Parveen Azeez explains the benefits of early exposure to general practice.

Why observership in a General Practice?

Difficulty in getting the first break: Currently, overseas doctors in UK are facing considerable difficulty in obtaining their first clinical attachment in a Hospital. The reasons range from "non centralised" allotment, lack of networking, huge waiting lists often running up to 2 years at certain hospitals, speciality preference of the junior doctor, and above all the enormous " fee" for clinical attachment in certain hospitals in the UK.

Local Referee: The main advantage of a local UK referee is a quick response to the reference request after shortlisting for jobs.

Economical: Normally General Practice do not charge for observership request. If you land in a General Practice quite close to your residence, you could save money commuting and on rents.

Exposure to Primary Care : Opportunity to understand the grass roots functioning of NHS patient care.

Pre-PLAB2 : Direct experience with consultation skills and exposure to the local accent.

When should one approach a General Practice for observership?

Post PLAB1 : Couple of months before PLAB2.

Post PLAB2 : Try an observership before you embark on a hospital attachment.

How to get your first Clinical Observership with a General Practice?

Curriculum Vitae: Prepare your CV and a covering letter initially requesting an observership for a period of 4 weeks. Book an appointment with the Practice Manager at the desired General Practice to pitch your request.

Internet search:

1) Check the link for the addresses of General practice surgeries in your area.

http://www.nhs.uk/England/Doctors/Default.aspx

2) If you are an overseas doctor with an immigration status in UK that allows you to "recourse to public funds", then you should try the - "Clinical Experience Scheme" organised by the London deanery three times a year.

http://www.londondeanery.ac.uk/gp/home.htm

Here click through "International Medical Graduates" --> Overseas Doctor --> Clinical experience scheme.

next - Part 2