Guest posting by Dr Aman Arora, founder of AroraMRCGP
Thinking of a career in Medical Education? As the son of a GP and a teacher, maybe it was always destined for me. MedEd is a fascinating path with multiple opportunities – ideal for the portfolio GP.
So why medical education in the first place?
Here are five quick reasons:
1) VARIETY.
Whether you prefer undergraduate or postgraduate, one-to-one or group teaching, private education or ‘mainstream’ – there is something for everyone.
2) STAY UP-TO-DATE.
By teaching, mentoring or guiding others, you need to be on top of developments yourself. Whether preparing material, or delivering teaching, it forces you to focus on your own knowledge – great for appraisal and revalidation.
3) SHAPING THE FUTURE.
You can have a key role in developing the next generation of medics, especially at undergraduate or VTS level. Granted, you’re dealing with adult learners, but don’t underestimate your impact - it certainly allows you to give something back.
4) ALWAYS EVOLVING.
Medical Education constantly adapts, following trends in both medicine and education. There is always a need for fresh and innovative ideas - bring your own slant to this ever-changing world.
5) Finally, TEACHING CAN BE INCREDIBLY FUN.
Time away from the manic world of clinical General Practice, whilst still maintaining a medical angle, can be a much-needed refresher. Creating dynamic and new teaching, which is both stimulating and relevant, brings excitement and challenge – an ideal mix for the modern GP.
So what do I do?
I became a GP in 2010 and fell into medical education by default. A colleague and I set up a CSA course (with no great expectations) and ran our first course one month after completing GP training. From this point, my love for education began.
I have now run over 100 CSA courses and have helped over 1000 GP trainees with CSA preparation across the country – a process that continues.
Initially I delayed my main aim of mainstream GP education (I wrongly imagined breaking-in would be too difficult), before finally starting to locum as a VTS Programme Director (PD) in the West Midlands. This gave me the experience I needed, as well as the confidence to apply for a fulltime role (something I have loved for the last 18 months). Running weekly VTS, facilitating updates for local trainers and conducting ARCPs are are just some of the many roles that a PD has.
I am also an AKT trainer, member of the West Midlands International Medical Graduate faculty and am involved in GP Recruitment – all opportunities that I had no idea about beforehand.
So how do you get started?
First, decide what level you want to start at. There is a huge difference between postgraduate and undergraduate medical education and the routes of entry are usually separate. Contact your local Head of GP School or Area Director, get back in touch with your old VTS or contact your local medical school.
If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
Always keep an eye out for jobs. GP’s often have to leave their education roles if they’re busy elsewhere. Starting a Postgraduate Certificate of Medical Education always adds a star on your CV – I completed mine via distance learning, working on it when it suited me.
Opportunities, opportunities...
One of the traditional routes into teaching is to become a GP trainer. Different regions have own their processes for becoming accredited; being a GP for minimum 3 years is fairly standard. Waiting lists for training however, can be long, so contact your local teams early.
If you’re a locum GP, there are still many other opportunities. Applying for a programme director role is a great way to start. There are also roles as examiners - CSA examining (5 years post qualification) or examining for GP recruitment may interest you. There may also be education roles within CCG’s.
The digital world of medical education is moving fast. There are often opportunities within e-learning, as well as teaching through webinars and podcasts. I have created numerous YouTube videos for GP trainees, and deliver one-to-one teaching via Skype – just two examples of how MedEd is changing.
Being a GP is incredibly rewarding. I thoroughly enjoy seeing my patients but the buzz of teaching has certainly got me hooked. I have been involved in medical education both as a locum GP, as well as during a previous salaried role – there is definitely something for all types.
In these days of stress and challenge, medical education can act as the balance that we all seek. Now is the time to get thinking and start TEACHING.
