First Five Years in Family Practice initiative.

UK origins The First5 concept was developed in 2008 by the Associates in Training Committee of the Royal College of General Practitioners in the United Kingdom.1,2 The aim was to address concerns from trainees that, at the end of a very supportive training program, they experienced an “off-the-cliff” feeling where suddenly they were out on their own as independent practitioners in the vast and ever changing world of modern general practice. The trainees committee believed that the Royal College of General Practitioners was well placed to support the transition from trainee to established GP using existing College structures. First5 is about empowering the next generation of new GPs, encouraging our energy and enthusiasm, and equipping us with the skills needed to lead the profession in the years ahead. The First5 concept is based on 5 main pillars: • Connecting with the College: promoting a sense of belonging and appropriate representation for the First5 cohort within the College • Facilitating networks: encouraging peer support and mentoring through development of local networks • Supporting revalidation: offering support through revalidation, which aims to assess whether GPs meet current professional standards (which is in line with a direction taken by most provinces in Canada) • Career mentorship: highlighting the opportunities a career in general practice offers and helping new family physicians get the most out of family medicine • Continuing professional development: identifying areas of continuing professional development that members in the first 5 years of practice think are not adequately covered and developing materials that will address these learning needs The concept seems to have captured the essence of what being a new GP is all about, and several countries, including Canada, have been keen to develop their own First5 programs.