In an effort to counter the weight of negative sentiment about being a GP that I see in social media I have decided to collect and share some of the positive stories I hear all the time from colleagues about what it is that brings joy into this amazing job.

The New Zealand General Practice Podcast is the result.

It’s a bit rough and ready – created using Anchor and recorded just on an iphone, the interviews grabbed wherever I can find people willing to share their stories – conference halls, airport lounges, over cups of tea in common rooms. There’s a bit of background noise !

It has been fascinating considering the many and varied roles that GPs play in their communities to find there are a number of themes, and much  common ground between GPs urban and rural, and with their rural hospital specialist colleagues.

To me this reinforces the value of having the Division of Rural Hospital Medicine within the scope of the Royal New Zealand College of GPs, and speaks to the potential for the RNZCGP to expand further and align all professions working in primary care. We have more in common than we have differences.

It’s also been very heartening talking to students and young doctors about what would draw them towards a career in general practice to see how closely aligned that is with the lived reality shared by experienced GPs.

What brings Joy to you in General Practice ?

@opotikigp