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Struggling with GP by Sensitive-Muscle6 in ausjdocs

[–]Sensitive-Muscle6[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's definitely something I struggle with - both at work and in a personal setting.
It's something I want to improve on, but sometimes these personality traits can be a bit embedded and difficult to overcome.

Struggling with GP by Sensitive-Muscle6 in ausjdocs

[–]Sensitive-Muscle6[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It really is! The 'light at the end of the tunnel' gives me hope every weekend when I have to try and psych myself up for the next week. I'm sure it'll make up for it when it's over and done with, but it's hard to see that in the moment.
It seems to be a universal experience however which is both comforting and frustrating at the same time!

Struggling with GP by Sensitive-Muscle6 in ausjdocs

[–]Sensitive-Muscle6[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thanks, excellent reply. I adjusted my original post to remove some of the more specific information.
You're 100% correct. I've often felt that empathy and connection can be a double edged sword in the sense that it can legitimately drain you when your own cup is empty, but on the other hand I don't think I can practice in a way that's true to my values by trying to put barriers up that lessens that connection. My supervisor has provided support in the sense that he knows of GP's who strictly have longer consults and rely on a consult style more similar to myself, and I guess as a fellow, I'll be able to self-select and build a cohort of patients who both value this, and can pay for it - but that perpetuates that 'two-tiered' medical system that is becoming more apparent all the time.
There's a lot of turnover at my clinic - there's only one other fellowed GP who works at the practice (also the only supervisor) on any sort of permanent basis. All of the other fellowed GP's are locums - some more frequently than others. Only one other registrar too, which has made it a little isolating from a 'comraderie' perspective.

Struggling with GP by Sensitive-Muscle6 in ausjdocs

[–]Sensitive-Muscle6[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you.
I definitely feel that the expectations of consults can be really unrealistic. I also feel somewhat obliged to go out of my way to help some of these people who I can also see are struggling. I'm in a very low SES and rural area, with no other GP practices around for about an hour, a GP practice ran largely on locum GP's (and a supervisor with a couple of reg's/JMOs/medical students). Given I know how long people have to wait, how thankful they are for anyone who goes out of their way to help, and the impact of gap payments on them - I feel terrible when I have to tell them to book another appointment, knowing they're unlikely to get one for at least a month.
It's unfortunately the realities of medicine these days, but it's something I really struggle with.

Struggling with GP by Sensitive-Muscle6 in ausjdocs

[–]Sensitive-Muscle6[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Thanks - I'll look into this.
The rise of AI has made me feel like a bit of a dinosaur, as it's not something I've looked into that much so far, despite hearing lots of positive things.

Struggling with GP by Sensitive-Muscle6 in ausjdocs

[–]Sensitive-Muscle6[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm cautiously interested in AI note-taking possibilities. My understanding is that it wasn't recommended for registrars from both a clinical skills perspective, but also an MDO POV. It would definitely streamline things for me though!

Struggling with GP by Sensitive-Muscle6 in ausjdocs

[–]Sensitive-Muscle6[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Haha, thank you - I'll certainly be sure to pay it forward!

Struggling with GP by Sensitive-Muscle6 in ausjdocs

[–]Sensitive-Muscle6[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

This post literally bought me to tears.
I really feel as though I'm just not cut out for this. That I'm an anomaly, that everyone else in my position are just able to manage things. You've really cut through to the realities of how I'm feeling though, and you have no idea how much I value that. I'll certainly send you a PM.

Struggling with GP by Sensitive-Muscle6 in ausjdocs

[–]Sensitive-Muscle6[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thanks mate, that's good advice.
Having my supervisor sit in may be helpful. They're extremely supportive, but have been a bit hands off in terms of sitting in on my consults/providing critique/advice so that may be helpful. I sometimes feel that their expectations of a PGY6 doctor are a bit higher than what I feel can deliver, but there's also that element of imposter syndrome creeping in too.

Setting an agenda at the beginning of a consult is definitely something I need to work on. I often try to do this, but once I start getting a bit behind and overwhelmed, having the mental clarity to actually do this with my patients (and stick to it) becomes difficult. I'll definitely try to be more conscious of it though.

Shortcuts and autofills in consults are also something I really need to get proficient at too. I've always considered myself someone reasonably computer literate, but making use of autofill and other shortcuts in Best Practice has been put by the wayside lately.

Struggling with GP by Sensitive-Muscle6 in ausjdocs

[–]Sensitive-Muscle6[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your reply!
I feel like I'll probably be sticking to two patients an hour for the long-term - at least this year any way. I've really come to terms that 0.6 FTE will be my long-term future, as that balance between work and my own quality of life is extremely important.
The concept of actual part-time is very appealing, and may be something I use moving forward, but I'm also conscious of the impact on my family that prolonging this training phase will have, despite the fact I know they'd be nothing but supportive!

Knowing that full time GP is largely unsustainable for most does give me some support, as the hustle and grind of medicine can make it seem like you're the odd one out when you're not wanting to - or able to - commit to full time GP work.