The changing face of General Practice in Northern Ireland - Portfolio GP's

F: I met with the Postgraduate General Practice Dean Dr McKnight who gave me guidance on specialities which would prove useful. I worked in Craigavon Area Hospital where I did Paediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynaecology. I then did General medicine in Newry. The experience gained in these hospitals provided insight to the workings in secondary care and helped develop my clinical skills. There was good consultant support for GP trainees and exposure to common conditions. Following this I considered my options for registrar training. I had always been interested in teaching and was keen to combine this with clinical medicine. The research registrar post in Dunluce Health Centre seemed an ideal way of completing my training and acquiring further experience of research and medical education. These two year posts have been running for seven years now and are funded by the Research and development office and the (then) Northern Ireland council for postgraduate medical and dental education (NICPMDE). Dr Keith Steele was my supervisor / trainer. Part of the time was spent in clinical practice and the rest setting up and completing a research project. My study on the physical activity habits of GPs in Northern Ireland has led to my completing an MPhil.