--- title: "GP Learning Groups: How To Utilise IT To Combat The 5 Common Excuses Why You Don't Usually Get Involved" description: "GP Learning Groups: How To Utilise IT To Combat The 5 Common Excuses Why You Don't Usually Get Involved" image: https://blog.lantum.com/hubfs/Blog_Media/cpd-event4-825x510.jpg --- [![Lantum](https://blog.lantum.com/hubfs/Lantum%20March2018/Images/logo-header.svg)](https://us.lantum.com) for Locums - [Locums](https://lantum.com/) - [Practices](https://lantum.com/p/practices/) - [Hubs](https://lantum.com/p/hubs/) - [Federations](https://lantum.com/p/nhs-federation/) [Mindfulness and burnout](https://blog.lantum.com/tag/mindfulness-and-burnout), [Clinical](https://blog.lantum.com/tag/clinical) 01 Sep 2014 [![](https://blog.lantum.com/hubfs/Blog_Media/cpd-event4-825x510.jpg)](https://blog.lantum.com/p/blog/clinical/tools-to-combat-5-common-excuses-not-to-start-a-gp-learning-group) # GP Learning Groups: How To Utilise IT To Combat The 5 Common Excuses Why You Don't Usually Get Involved 0 Comments - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) GP small learning groups are becoming more popular. Some are groups of GPs who got together on the VTS and perhaps practised for the CSA together. Some are groups of friends – often, experienced GPs – who want the benefits of peer education and support. Some form spontaneously when a group of doctors get together at a meeting somebody takes the initiative. All of these groups offer the chance to learn together, discuss interesting cases and share words of advice and support. I appraise GPs regularly and have no doubt that learning groups are excellent for appraisals, giving you both learning credits and a forum for professional discussions. So, if you have considered joining a learning group but you have found excuses not to, here are some top IT tips that Network Locum (now Lantum)s’ Matt McKeever shared with me…. 1. ***“It’s takes too long to find a time when everyone’s available*** **![Doodle_Logo](https://blog.lantum.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/doodle_logo4-4.png?width=162&height=34&name=doodle_logo4-4.png)Doodle –** This tool simplifies the process of scheduling events and can sync with your calendar [**Eventbrite**](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/l/registration-online-b/?ref=sem0brd0ggl0gbr0ppca0eventbrite&kw=eventbrite%20ex&cr=44605574225&pkw=eventbrite&pmt=e&plc=&mkwid=sVo1c5drg_dc&pcrid=44605574225) **–** This website makes registration and ticketing easy if you’d like something more formal or you’re![Eventbrite logo](https://blog.lantum.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/eventbrite-logo4-4.png?width=124&height=45&name=eventbrite-logo4-4.png) meeting other GPs for the first time. **Plan Ahead** - Setting the date well in advance will increase the likelihood of people attending. 1. ***“It’s difficult to find other people to participate”*** **[![facebook logo](https://blog.lantum.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/facebook-logo4-4.jpg?width=77&height=43&name=facebook-logo4-4.jpg)](https://blog.lantum.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/facebook-logo4-4.jpg)Facebook/**[**LinkedIn**](https://www.linkedin.com/) **–** You can gauge uptake via a status update, create an event or join GP only groups e.g. [Melissa & Will’s GP Locum Group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/351294768285375/?fref=ts). **[![meetup logo](https://blog.lantum.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/meetup-logo4-4.jpg?width=86&height=63&name=meetup-logo4-4.jpg)](https://blog.lantum.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/meetup-logo4-4.jpg)Meetup –** This website helps groups of people plan meetings and form offline groups around the world. It’s completely free to join and you can either join or start a Meetup group.   1. ***“I don’t know where we would meet”*** ***[![](https://blog.lantum.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/tripadvisor-logo-e1409587362191-9.jpeg?width=86&height=53&name=tripadvisor-logo-e1409587362191-9.jpeg)](https://blog.lantum.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/tripadvisor-logo-e1409587362191-8.jpeg)*** **Restaurants –** [Tripadvisor.com](http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/) is probably the most famous website that provides reviews and can filter your search results by location, cuisine, price range, etc. **Practices/Office Spaces –** You can always ask Practice Managers or GP Partners if they don’t mind you using the ![& meetings logo](https://blog.lantum.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/meetings-logo4-4.gif?width=110&height=51&name=meetings-logo4-4.gif)practice one evening or weekend. Alternatively there are plenty of websites like [&meetings.com](http://www.andmeetings.com/) which make booking meeting rooms easy. **Home –** Perhaps the cheapest venue of all, and the most popular, you can host a meeting at home. [Google Maps](https://maps.google.co.uk/) or [Citymapper](https://citymapper.com/) make ![](https://blog.lantum.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/citymapper-logo-e1409587570967-4.jpg?width=215&height=28&name=citymapper-logo-e1409587570967-4.jpg)it so easy to share directions and locations.![google maps logo](https://blog.lantum.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/google-maps-logo4-4.jpg?width=44&height=44&name=google-maps-logo4-4.jpg)   1. ***“They cost too much to put on regularly”*** **Sponsorship –** There are lots of organisations who would be willing to sponsor your event in return for a visual/physical presence. **Contributions –** You can always ask attendees to pay a small amount to cover room hire and food costs. 1. ***“It’s difficult to communicate and keep in touch”*** **[![](https://blog.lantum.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/boomerang-logo-e1409587214349-4.jpg?width=93&height=48&name=boomerang-logo-e1409587214349-4.jpg)](https://blog.lantum.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/boomerang-logo-e1409587214349-4.jpg)** **Email -** [Boomerang](http://www.boomeranggmail.com/) is a Gmail plugin that can help you delay sending email, or set reminders if people don’t respond. **[![whatsapp logo](https://blog.lantum.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/whatsapp-logo-e1409587275949-8.jpg?width=67&height=63&name=whatsapp-logo-e1409587275949-8.jpg)](https://blog.lantum.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/whatsapp-logo-e14095872759494-4.jpg)**   **         [Whatsapp](http://www.whatsapp.com/) –** It’s like texting but hosted online and holds a bit more functionality.     This article was written by Dr Bill Laughey who is a GP, Appraiser, Trainer & Medical School Tutor. He also set up and runs this really useful website [www.doctorappraisal.com](http://www.doctorappraisal.com) which helps GPs set up learning groups and provides useful advice about appraisals and revalidation. ### Author [Lantum](https://blog.lantum.com/author/lantum) ### Subscribe to the newsletter ### Subscribe to the newsletter ### About Lantum Lantum is a workforce platform that uses technology to simplify all aspects of healthcare staffing. Our easy-to-use tools empower healthcare organisations to fill their shifts and professionals to fill their diaries, without the need for agencies. 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