MAKING

THE MOST
OF GP
TRAINING
New AiTs Handbook
Welcome
Congratulations on gaining a place on the
GP Specialty Training Programme, the largest
community of specialty trainees in the UK.

In this handy guide Chapter ( 1 ) Life as a GP Trainee

you will find all the The typical GP ..............................................................................................................................................6
information you need Thriving in GP training..............................................................................................................................8
to start your journey:
Looking after yourself as a trainee......................................................................................................9

Chapter ( 2 ) The MRCGP

WPBA The Workplace Based Assessment tools.................................................................... 13
Learning Logs.............................................................................................................................................. 14
Preparing for your Educational Supervisory Review............................................................. 16
Quick guide to CCT requirements................................................................................................... 17
The Annual Review of Competency Progression (ARCP) and quality assurance........18
AKT - Applied Knowledge Test.......................................................................................................... 20
CSA - Clinical Skills Assessment....................................................................................................... 20
Less Than Full-Time Training (LTFTT)............................................................................................. 21
Taking maternity or paternity leave................................................................................................ 21

Chapter ( 3 ) RCGP and Me

Your committee......................................................................................................................................... 24
Your membership..................................................................................................................................... 25
The Associate in Training (AiT)
jargon buster!

Assessments Training tools

AKT Applied Knowledge Test ARCP Annual Review of Competency Progression

CSA Clinical Skills Assessment CbD Case-Based Discussion

WPBA Workplace Based Assessment COT Consultation Observation Tools

CSR Clinical Supervisors Report

General terms
ESR Educational Supervisor Review
MRCGP Membership of the RCGP
Mini-
CEX Clinical Evaluation Exercise
AiT Associates in Training i.e. you!
MSF Multi-Source Feedback
LETB Local Education and Training Board

LTFT Less Than Full-Time Training

General terms people
OOH Out of Hours
GPA General Practice Administrator
PDP Personal Development Plan
ES Educational Supervisor
CCT Certificate of Completion of Training
TPD Training Programme Director
VTS Vocational Training Scheme

SEA Significant Event Analysis

RCGP Royal College of General Practitioners

 (1)
LIFE AS A
GP TRAINEE
Starting out on your GP training journey is a really exciting time but it can also
be quite a daunting one. The next three years will quickly fly by, so enjoy the
experience and the variety that comes with working in general practice.

This chapter provides you with an overview of the

Wherever the art

journey ahead as you progress towards becoming
an independent practitioner:
The typical GP training timeline
of Medicine is
Pearls of wisdom to help you thrive in GP training loved, there is also
Looking after yourself as a trainee a love of humanity.
Hippocrates

4/5
 The typical GP
training timeline
The following is
a timeline of GP
training based on
full time working and
starting in August
You can apply for academic
fellowship posts that are
advertised in your region
during your training (e.g.
ST2). For this you will need
to find additional time during
your training to pursue
research or other training
opportunities.
6/7
Year
1
August 2016 August 2017
Register with RCGP
July August
November January:
have your CSR and ESR completed
in good time for your ARCP in
January / February
May July:
have your CSR and ESR completed
in good time for your ARCP in July
Most GP training schemes
include 18 months in May June:
hospital specialties and if GP is your 1st ST2 rotation, make
18 months in general sure you get your Performers List
practice. The absolute application sorted in good time
minimum is 12 months in
general practice at the end
of the programme.
 Year Year

2 3
August 2017 August 2018 August 2018 August 2019

November January: Ensure you have completed an audit and

have your CSR and ESR completed up to level 3 Child Safeguarding training
in good time for your ARCP in in good time
January / February
November January:
Regularly update your Learning have your CSR and ESR completed in good
Logs, PDP and evidence time for your ARCP in January / February
throughout your placement.
Complete exams:
During GP: AKT (if not done already) and CSA
attempt your AKT (diet usually between November to June)

OOH (~36 hours) Complete OOH commitment

ST4 options or post-CCT
Fellowships are available in May July:
some areas. This is subject have your CSR and ESR completed in good
to regional variation and time for your ARCP in July
available funds so if youre
interested just ask around Completion of training - July 2019 (YAY!)
locally to get the latest
information.
 Thriving in
GP training

Seven pearls of wisdom

1 5
Its training to become a GP
Sometimes its easy to forget that being a GPST is
all about training to become a GP, as each job and
training scheme is so varied. It is helpful to consider
how you can apply each specialty to general practice,
particularly for your ePortfolio.
Ask for help
Your trainer has your best interests high on their
priority list and is just a phone call or email away.
It is helpful to get to know them early on in your
training, particularly before your first Educational
Supervisor Review, so drop them a line shortly
into your first post.

2
Dont ignore the Trainee ePortfolio

6
When you first start the Trainee ePortfolio can seem
daunting BUT if you take some time to write at least
one or two good quality entries a week you will be
on the right track. Try to keep on top of it as you go
along and remember your ePortfolio represents you
so make it shine.
Keep on top of the admin
Paperwork is never a highlight but if you dont
do it, it can seriously impact your training. Find out
when you need to submit important documents such
as Performers List applications, DBS applications
and Form R (for the ARCP) so you can keep on
top of it all.

3
The final year can be tough

7
The number of things to complete in the final year is
significant so try to do the audits and Significant Event
Analyses etc as early as possible. If you fancy doing
a diploma consider doing it earlier in your training.
Enjoy this amazing experience
GP training is an enjoyable learning experience.
The difficult times are part of the job and will pass.
Keep the end goal in mind and celebrate the
achievements along the way.

4
Dont bite off more than you can chew
It might seem a good idea to undertake complex
self-improvement projects and diplomas but trying
to do too much can leave you feeling stressed,
so keep your workload as manageable as possible.

8/9
Looking after yourself
as a trainee
As a GP trainee, help is always at hand. The RCGP, along with
many other organisations, are here to support you.

Your Clinical and Educational Professional Support Units (PSU):

Supervisors and Training For significant challenges you may self-refer
Programme Directors: or be referred by your Educational Supervisor
This amazing bunch of people will work with to a PSU. Some people also use their PSU
you closely to ensure you have a productive for careers advice or for help with managing
and happy training experience. workload. A case manager will spend time with
you and may refer you on for mentoring, the
Interactive Studies Unit or Occupational Health.
Your local AiT Representative:
AiT Representatives can be very useful
people to speak with if you have any issues
 Other external organisations:
and there is one in each area of the country. If you need further support organisations
Find yours here www.rcgp.org.uk/aitcommittee such as the Practitioner Health Programme,
BMA Counselling, Support 4 Doctors and the
Doctors Support Group can help.
The RCGP Wellbeing page:
As doctors we often forget how important
our own health and wellbeing is.
The RCGP Wellbeing initiative will give
you advice, resources and support on
how to look after yourself in training.
Visit us at www.rcgp.org.uk/wellbeing
 ( )
2
A physician is obligated
to consider more than

THE
a diseased organ, more
even than the whole
man - he must view the
man in his world.

MRCGP
Harvey Cushing

The MRCGP is an integrated training and assessment programme that is made up of three
components; an Applied Knowledge Test (AKT), a Clinical Skills Assessment (CSA) and
Workplace Based Assessment (WPBA). It relates to the training curriculum and tests the
wide-ranging knowledge, clinical and communication skills required in general practice.
All GP trainees must complete the Colleges assessment (MRCGP) to practise as a GP.

In this chapter youll find out about the different aspects of the MRCGP and how collectively
its components will demonstrate that you are ready to enter independent practice:
WPBA Workplace Based Assessment and its tools
AKT Applied Knowledge Test
CSA Clinical Skills Assessment
Less Than Full-Time Training
Taking maternity and paternity leave

10/11
 WPBA
Workplace Based Assessment
Workplace Based Assessment (WPBA) is one of the three components of the
MRCGP. There are different WBPA tools that demonstrate you have covered the
13 areas of professional competence. Each tool has a different aim. You have to
complete a certain number of each in every six-month review period.

The WPBA
tools explained CbD
Case-based
Discussion
A structured interview
with your supervisor
about a selection of
your cases
Used in both hospital and
general practice posts the
CbD is a focussed way to
discuss cases and explore
your clinical judgment. Youll
need a variety of cases
that cover a balance of the
curriculum. Each discussion
lasts about 30 minutes.
In ST1 and ST2, you
select two cases, present
them to the assessor and
then they will choose one
to discuss.
In ST3, you present four
cases and they choose
one or two for discussion.
COT Mini-CEX
Consultation Clinical Evaluation
Observation Tool Exercise
The observation The observation and
and assessment of assessment of your
your primary care hospital consultations
consultations
The Mini-CEX is a
COTs are used in 15-minute snapshot of
primary care where your your patient interaction,
trainer observes your which is overseen by the
consultation, either by clinical supervisor or trainer
sitting in or by video, or educational supervisor
and then discusses it (depending on deanery
with you. You should arrangements). It might
include different types of also be observed by a
consultation, including staff grade doctor, nurse
children, older adults and practitioner, clinical nurse
mental health, and must specialist, an experienced
get written patient consent specialty registrar (ST4
- the reception staff can or above) or consultant.
usually help you with this. The Mini-CEX is used
Theres a form on the in hospital posts and
RCGP website too: assesses clinical skills,
www.rcgp.org.uk/wpba attitudes and behaviours.

12/13
MSF
Multi-Source
Feedback
A feedback
questionnaire on your
performance by your
colleagues
MSF is similar to the
Team Assessment of
Behaviour (TAB) from the
foundation curriculum.
The questionnaire collects
colleagues opinions about taken from the ePortfolio
your clinical performance
and professional behaviour.
Typically you email out
ticket requests to five
clinicians in secondary
care placements or five
clinicians and five non-
clinicians in primary care.
Once their responses are
in, the anonymised results
are summarised and
discussed with you by your
Educational Supervisor.
PSQ
Patient Satisfaction
Questionnaire
A feedback
questionnaire on your
consultation style by
your patients
The PSQ provides patient
feedback on your empathy
and relationship-building
skills during consultations.
The questionnaire is
and given to patients by
the reception staff for
completing after their
consultation.
The feedback is added to
the ePortfolio (usually by
one of the practice staff)
and you discuss the results
with your trainer. Youll
need 40 responses; keep
them beyond your training
for auditing or in case of
any technical issues.
CEPS CSR
Clinical Examination Clinical Supervisors
and Procedural Skills Report
Personal log entries and A short structured report
supervisor assessment on your performance in
using a range of each hospital post
evidence to demonstrate
good clinical practice Used in secondary care
settings the Clinical
CEPS demonstrates Supervisors Report
progress towards ideally demonstrates how
competence in basic you have achieved your
clinical skills and can be learning objectives. At the
performed with or without end of each placement
an observer. You add your Clinical Supervisor
these to the ePortfolio as rates you in several
an assessment under the areas, adding comments
Evidence section or create to inform the Educational
a personal learning log. Supervisors Review.
Examinations that have to
be included and observed
to a satisfactory standard
are breast examinations,
rectal and prostate
examinations and the
examinations of male and
female genitalia. Other than
that, the choice of CEPS is
based on your needs.
 Learning Logs...
Learning logs are part of the Trainee
ePortfolio (TeP) that youll use the
most and show reflective learning
throughout your training. They
provide evidence of your attainment
of the curriculum and competencies
which are required by the GMC and
for your Certificate of Completion
of Training (CCT).
Did you know?
There is no specific nationally mandated number of learning
logs required each week. The focus should be on quality,
rather than quantity. As a rough guide, it is suggested that
trainees can cover the curriculum with one or two high quality
reflective entries a week.
Top tips when writing a log
Learning points within the log can be facts you
have learned or thoughts from your own reflection.
Try to show some self-awareness and critical thinking.
14/15
There are lots of resources to help you
with reflective learning. Everyone has
a different learning style and it may
be useful to consider what you do
naturally and where you may look to
improve. Rest assured, with time and
feedback from your trainer, you will
become a learning log master.
Demonstrate how you can improve the service provided.
Demonstrate reflection in every entry.
Useful resources
Example of a reflective log: www.rcgp.org.uk/wpba
GMC guidance: www.gmc-uk.org/guidance
Learning styles by Honey and Mumford:
http://bit.ly/1kBoDeN
... even more learning log tips
If the online page times out you may lose
work, so either save your work regularly or
write up notes offline and copy across.
Some subjects are harder than others to gain
exposure to so reflect on relevant experiences
as soon as they present.
Logs can be saved before completion and can
only be seen by your supervisor when you
share them.
You could make notes on your smartphone
as you come across a learning point while
working; this can be a great reminder later on.
Use everyday learning experiences or the
topics you are reading up on as entry material.
The earlier you do a log the easier it is
plus you avoid end of placement panic and
concerns from your trainer.
Respect patient confidentiality in your logs and
remember what you write can be accessed by
a court of law.
Keep a note of which out-of-hours session you
are on and the running total.
You dont need to use all the Learning Log
categories. Clinical encounters should be used
most often.
Reflect on a significant event analysis (SEA)
every six months, remember, these can also
be good events.
Have at least a couple of PDP (personal
development plans) for each placement which
you record your achievement of. Entries
should be SMART: Specific, Measurable,
Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound.
 Preparing for your
Educational Supervisor Review
Educational Supervisor Reviews (ESR) take place every six months. They provide
feedback on your overall progress and identify areas where you need more focused
training. Its a great opportunity to make sure youre heading in the right direction.

Get to know your Educational Supervisor Rate yourself

Different Educational Supervisors (ES) have
different strategies to meet the demands of
the ePortfolio.
Therefore its a good idea to broach this subject
early on and speak to your ES to find out what
their preferences are. This will ensure you hit the
ground running with demonstrating your progress.
Alongside your evidence you have to
complete your self-rating before your ES can
complete their six monthly report.
You rate yourself against the 13 core
competencies and justify your ratings by linking
them to your ePortfolio evidence. For each
competency you also have to prepare suggested
actions before your next review.

BE PREPARED
Like everything else involving the
ePortfolio, consistency and planning
ahead is the name of the game.

16/17
Quick guide to
CCT requirements
The minimum evidence requirements described below are based on a standard three-
year specialty training programme, with 18 months of hospital posts and
18 months in general practice.

GP Specialty Training GP Specialty Training GP Specialty Training

Year One (ST1) Year Two (ST2) Year Three (ST3)
minimum requirements minimum requirements minimum requirements
prior to 12 month review prior to 24 month review prior to final review

 x mini-CEX
6  x mini-CEX
6 12 x CbD
(if in secondary care) / COT (if in secondary care) / COT
(if in primary care) (if in primary care) 12 x COT

6 x CbD 6 x CbD  x MSF

2
(each with 5 clinicians
 x MSF
2  x PSQ
1 and 5 non-clinicians)
(each with a minimum of (if in primary care and not
5 replies from clinicians already completed in ST1) 1 x PSQ
plus 5 non-clinicians if in
primary care) CEPS as appropriate

 x PSQ
1 
clinical supervisors report
(if in primary care) from each hospital post

CEPS as appropriate

c linical supervisors report

from each hospital post
 The Annual Review of Competency
Progression (ARCP) and quality
assurance
The ARCP evaluates evidence presented
in your Trainee ePortfolio to formally
assess your progress before moving on
to the next training stage. The outcomes
are recorded in your ePortfolio under
Progress to Certification.
It is a quantitative and qualitative assessment of
professional competence and a display of reflective
practice and learning cycles.
Its performed by an ARCP panel with at least three
members including regional directors, Training
Programme Directors and administrative staff.
For academic trainees an academic representative
should be present.
Ultimately it is the ARCP panel that will decide
whether you are ready to apply for a CCT at the end
of your GP training so it should be treated seriously.
18/19
ARCPs are performed at least annually but can be
more frequent for trainees who havent progressed
at a sufficient level and for those whose training has
been affected due to factors such as maternity leave
or ill health.
The ARCP process can seem daunting, and appear
stressful. However, the focus really is how to ensure
trainees get the most out of their training, to prepare
them to be a GP. So, although you will have to
prepare for several throughout your training journey,
do try not to let the process worry you.
Quality assuring the ARCP process
RCGP External Advisors also review a random
10% sample of trainee ePortfolios with a
Satisfactory ARCP outcome as well as every
ePortfolio with an Unsatisfactory outcome.
This external review ensures the panel process
is fair and in line with national guidelines.
ARCP Preparation
Before each ARCP you should ensure the following have been completed or uploaded:

Enhanced Form R A new form needs to be submitted with every ARCP Panel.

This must be completed no earlier than eight weeks before the ARCP and submitted no later than
Educational
two weeks before your ARCP date. However for administrative reasons, some deaneries and
Supervisors Report
LETBs ask for the ES Report to be submitted even earlier.

Learning Log entries.

Curriculum Adequate curriculum coverage.
coverage Educational Supervisors (ES) comments.
Level 3 Child Protection/safeguarding certificate.

There is no minimum number of assessments required but you will be expected to discuss your learning
needs during placement planning meetings and to record your plans in the Learning Log and PDP.
CEPS
The range of examinations and procedures and the number of observations will depend on your
particular needs and the professional judgement of your Clinical and Educational Supervisors.

Summary of Review Mandatory number of completed assessments: Mini-CEXs/COTs, CbDs, MSF and PSQ.
PDPs Evidence of engagement in learning cycle.
Educators Notes Any concerns about performance as well as positive comments too.
Revalidation Any concerns raised.
Number of hours done.
Type of sessions.
Out of Hours
Learning evidence.
(OOH)
Certificate of Completion of each session uploaded and attached to a reflective learning log entry
about each of your OOH sessions.
Out of Hours (OOH) progress.
Uploaded evidence of Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillation
(AED) update training. Minimum is once within the three years before the end of your GP training.
Advanced Life Support in Foundation Training does not count.
CSA - number of attempts, outcome.
Other
AKT - number of attempts, outcome.
Completion of compulsory local forms including trainee surveys.
Audit demonstrating completion of audit loop.
Quality Improvement Projects.
Significant Event Analysis (at least two per year).
 Applied Knowledge Clinical Skills
Test (AKT) Assessment (CSA)
You can take the AKT in GPST2 or GPST3. Its three hours
10 minutes long and has 200 multiple choice questions
covering clinical medicine (80%), clinical appraisal (10%)
and health informatics and administrative issues (10%).
It takes place at Pearson Vue centres and you have up to four
attempts. The exam is available three times a year and the
dates are published on the RCGP website in the training and
exams section. You must make your application during the
booking period approximately six weeks before the exam.
Useful resources for revision
GMC Good medical practice guidance:
www.gmc-uk.org/guidance
RCGP website AKT section: www.rcgp.org.uk/akt
RCGP Essential Knowledge Updates and Challenges:
www.elearning.rcgp.org.uk
NICE guidance: www.nice.org.uk/guidance
SIGN guidance: www.sign.ac.uk/guidelines
The CSA is designed to test your ability to appropriately
gather information and apply learned understanding
of disease processes and person-centred care in a
standardised context.
There are 13 ten-minute consultations during which you stay
in a room and specifically trained and calibrated role players
come in and out as your patients. The cases used in the
exams are written and assessed by working GPs.
You have 10 to 15 minutes before the simulated surgery starts
to read your patient list and notes (presented on an iPad). You
also get two minutes between each case. Copies of BNF and
BNFc are allowed as are sticky bookmarks to mark essential
pages beforehand. You can write the topic on your sticky
bookmarks but nothing else.
Useful resources for revision
RCGP website CSA section:
www.rcgp.org.uk/csa

( )
BNF opening chapters: www.bnf.org/products/bnf-online
The CSA fee in 2016/2017 was 1663

( ) The AKT costs around 450. This is non-

refundable except in the event of exceptional
circumstances, so before you book make Most AiTs find it helpful
sure you feel ready and have time to prepare. to practise consultations in
small groups of friends from their
Remember you can claim tax back on this via
VTS groups and then you can help
the annual P87 form, see www.gov.uk for more. keep each other to a schedule.

The MRCGP assessments

do cost a significant
amount of money so many people
choose to plan their savings for
them at the beginning of ST1.

20/21
Less Than Taking maternity
Full-Time Training or paternity leave
Less Than Full-Time Training (LTFTT) is an option to help If you are pregnant or become pregnant as a GP trainee
those with child-caring or other responsibilities or health you should tell your programme director about it as
problems, to continue training. soon as possible as they can help you plan your
training accordingly.
Most trainees in a substantive approved post can apply for
LTFTT if they meet the eligibility criteria. However, LTFTT You should also notify RCGP Member Services as a 50%
is deanery specific and therefore not guaranteed. If you reduction from the standard AiT subscription fee can be
would like to be considered for LTFTT you have to apply applied on the next renewal, due on 1 April each year.
to your deanery programme director (Head of School,
You can suspend your AiT membership during your maternity
or Postgraduate Dean) and have a justifiable reason for
leave, though this will affect your access to trainee support
your application. Guidance on the process as well as what
such as the ePortfolio.
reasons are considered should be available from your local
training body website. At the time of writing, GP trainees are entitled to two weeks
paid paternity leave. As with maternity leave this only applies
If deemed eligible, LTFTT arrangements will be accommodated
to eligible GP trainees who have had 12 months continuous
as soon as practically possible.
NHS experience.
Assessment as an LTFTT
The timescale of the WPBA minimum evidence requirements Top Tip - The BMA website
is different for trainees who are working less than full time. has up-to-date information
about maternity and paternity benefits
LTFTTs normally take WPBA assessments on a pro rata for GP trainees at www.bma.org.uk
basis, according to the number of hours worked. However,
it may be more than the pro rata equivalent; this will depend
on your performance, progress and recommendations from
your previous review.
Youll have an Educational Supervisors Review every six
months and a review of competence progression at least
once a year.

Once you start LTFT, try not

to worry about falling behind
your colleagues with your medical
career development. Your GP training is
an important journey that can be just as
effective taken at a slower pace.
 ( )
3 The greatest mistake in
the treatment of diseases is

RCGP
that there are physicians for
the body and physicians for
the soul, although the two

cannot be separated.

AND ME
Plato

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) is the membership body for general
practice and represents over 51,000 members across the UK, and overseas. It is here to
support you throughout your GP career and offers continuing professional development,
peer support and involvement in developing the profession.
While we are a national membership body we do most of our work at a local level. The
College is split into six regions, which are made up of smaller groups called faculties. The
faculties provide a forum for sharing ideas, offering mutual support and run educational
meetings and networking events.

In this chapter you can read about what the RCGP means to other trainees and the support and
opportunities available to you via your national and local AiT Committees:
Your Committee
What your membership means

22/23
 Your Committee

Welcome to the start Throughout your training youll
work among many teams. One
We are aware there is still much work
to be done to support AiTs to the full
of the best job you unique team that will be with you and you have our promise that we
throughout your training is the will continue to champion the AiT
could ever have: being incredible AiT Committee. Together, perspective.
your AiT Committee has achieved a
a GP. There may be tremendous amount for the lives of
If you would like more information on
the AiT Committee or need to get in
tough times ahead but AiTs year on year. Every region has
touch with your local representative
a representative so if you ever need
please visit
we are confident that to bend an ear, seek a bit of info, or
www.rgcp.org.uk/aitcommittee
can see a way something can be done
the rewards of general better, we are here to listen and make Very best wishes,

practice will captivate positive changes.
It is genuinely a real privilege to
you and renew your represent such an amazing body
passion when the of professionals and we take the
responsibility of representing our
going gets tough. 11,000 strong AiT community seriously.
Laura and Duncan
Dr Laura Armitage GPST3
AiT Committee Chair (2015-2016)
Dr Duncan Shrewsbury GPST3
AiT Committee Chair (2016-2017)

24/25
As a member of
your College:
youre always learning
The RCGP is primarily an institution of learning,
and were here to support your learning throughout
your career as a GP.
We are responsible for the curriculum that forms the
foundation for your GP training across the UK.
Our internationally recognised, award winning
educational materials include high quality publications,
conferences, one-day training courses and events, and
online learning, covering many different clinical topics.
Much of our face to face learning and training is offered
through our local faculties, including CSA and AKT
preparation courses.
Other educational events are now offered remotely
through webinars and video conferencing. Many of
these events are either heavily subsidised for AiTs, or
completely free. As an AiT member you also have full
access to our online library, with numerous medical
databases, journals and publications.
youre part of a community
An essential part of any membership body is the
fact that you get to connect with your peers across
the profession.
You are now a part of a network of GPs and trainees
throughout the UK and there are many peer-to-peer
opportunities for support, advice and mentoring locally,
regionally, and nationally.
If youre after networking and socialising opportunities
then your local faculty is a good place to start. There
are free social events, AiT welcome nights and this
year, for the first time, an inter-faculty sports day.
Being part of the College as an AiT is your chance to
connect both with other trainees and with experienced
GPs to explore areas of career interest. Many faculties
run highly regarded mentoring schemes, which make a
network of experienced and renowned GPs available
to GP trainees.
Local faculty boards also have positions available for
AiT representatives and actively welcome contributions
and suggestions as to how they can best support you
through your training.
 youre taking care of yourself
Our members take care of over a million patients a
day, but GPs cant offer their patients the highest
quality care if they dont look after themselves
properly first.
Your wellbeing is a priority for the College and to ensure
youre in the best possible shape physically, mentally
and emotionally, we have a range of activities on offer.
Our local faculties deliver resilience and wellbeing
events locally, and our popular Be The Best You free
conference days take place in each region each year.
The AiT Committee are particularly concerned about the
proportion of junior doctors who struggle with difficulties
and have their health, or professional trajectory,
compromised. We want to make sure that GPs are
getting the best possible start to their career when
it comes to wellbeing and so the AiT Committee are
leading on the Colleges GP5aDay campaign; part of our
TeamGP initiative of increasing positivity and wellbeing
in general practice. Visit www.rcgp.org.uk/TeamGP
to see how you can get involved, or pick up tips on
supporting your own wellbeing.
youre part of the conversation
The College provides a collective voice for GPs
across the UK in order to to lobby and campaign to
raise the profile of general practice.
We work to ensure GPs are represented fairly across the
media and that their expertise and experience are at the
heart of policy-making on a local, country and UK-wide
level in order to maintain the highest possible standards
in general medical practice. Weve run successful
campaigns to increase funding for general practice in
England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
26/27
youre shaping the future
RCGP members are leading on clinical innovation
and research to achieve transformative change
that will ensure primary care is effective and
sustainable for the future, as well as fostering the
GPs and practice leaders of tomorrow.
Our Clinical Innovation and Research Centre (CIRC)
improves how GPs deliver patient care at an individual
and national level. As AiTs you can not only benefit
from this innovation but get involved in shaping the
future of general practice - YOU are the future of
general practice.
We also have free membership for medical students
and foundation doctors; more GPs of tomorrow. As AiT
members you can support this work with near-peer
mentoring, teaching opportunities, and other activities
working with our student GP societies, that can help
encourage and support medical students making
decisions about their career. You can even come along
to our stands at career fairs to tell sixth form students
about what its like to train as to be a GP.
We work to raise awareness of clinical areas, such as
mental health, cancer and end of life care, which are
priority areas for the UKs health. We also work on the
specific policy agendas in the UKs devolved nations
through our Devolved Councils in Scotland, Wales and
Northern Ireland, all of which have AiT representatives
with input from AiT Committees.
Get in touch with your local faculty or regional office
to find out more about what is happening near you.
 The good physician
treats the disease;
the great physician
treats the patient
who has the disease.
William Osler

Royal College of General Practitioners

30 Euston Square
London NW1 2FB
020 3188 7400
www.rcgp.org.uk
Updated 2016

Acknowledgements

This AiT Handbook was the inspiration of the national RCGP AiT Committee in 2014. The committee wanted to ensure new GP trainees
were fully aware of the support available to them and the processes they have to follow to successfully complete their training. Crucially
the guide contains lots of tips the committee members wish they had known when starting training. [link]