The GP+ Careers Podcast

• 18: GP+ Career Coaching with Dr Sarah Goulding

  In this episode of the GP+ Careers podcast, host Dr Sophie Lumley is joined by Dr Sarah Goulding, a portfolio GP and career coach for medical professionals. Sarah shares her journey to becoming a coach, which was fuelled by her own experience with burnout and a desire to support others, and details how her coaching work fits into her flexible portfolio GP career. Furthermore, the episode addresses practical considerations for aspiring coaches, such as the value of obtaining a coaching diploma, the importance of supervision for self-care and professional development, and the entrepreneurial challenges of setting up a private coaching business. Top Tips Experience coaching yourself first If you are considering becoming a coach, the single most important initial tip is to have some coaching yourself so that you understand what it actually is. It is important to know what you are getting yourself in for, as there is a very diverse range of coaching available. Training and Development A qualification is not mandatory, but learning the basic coaching techniques is highly recommended. Coaching is not a regulated industry, which can be uncomfortable for medics who often like a piece of paper to validate their skills. Personally, Sarah recommends training, noting that it provides a wider range of tools, a more academic approach, and helps with disciplines like knowing how to ask useful questions and how to leave space. When choosing a course, look for one that "speaks to you" and fits how you learn best, such as an experiential course in Sarah's case.  Coaching training at the diploma level often costs between £2,000 and £6,000 or more, so it is a significant investment. Explore funding options, potentially through a limited company as a form of CPD (Continuing Professional Development). You might also access funds through local resilience funding if you can pitch how using coaching skills will benefit your local workplace. Find your niche and community  Find your "tribe" - either an aligned organisation or group where you can ask questions, get advice, and speak to experienced people.  Consider working out who you are really passionate about working with; this passion often dictates how you form your business.  Look into the three main accredited organisations, such as the International Coaching Federation (ICF), which offers links to various training providers.  Listen to podcasts and immerse yourself in the coaching space to see if it is something you would enjoy. Prepare for the business and entrepreneurial side  If you plan to work independently rather than for an organisation, you must be prepared to set yourself up as a business entirely from scratch. This involves learning new entrepreneurial skills, such as: - Creating your own website and developing branding. - Being very organised (e.g. using tools like Calendarly) - Working out how much to charge and how to send an invoice. - Getting comfortable with charging people money, which is often difficult for those used to the NHS model. Prioritize self-care through supervision Engaging in supervision is strongly recommended once you begin coaching. Supervision is a safe space (unlike appraisal) to address issues concerning your skills, worries you may have about clients, or techniques you want to practice. It is a necessary practice because coaching involves working very intimately with people, and you need to look after yourself as part of it. Further reading RCGP mentoring: www.rcgp.org.uk/your-career/gp-mentoring Dr Sarah Goulding's website: www.drsarahgoulding.com The Joyful Doctor: https://www.joyfuldoctor.com Coaching accreditation organisations: https://www.associationforcoaching.com https://www.emccglobal.org https://coachingfederation.org Coaching podcast: https://yourcoachingjourney.com/podcast-for-doctors-about-coaching/ Dr Sarah Goulding is a GP TPD in Coventry and Warwickshire and a Portfolio GP, with 7 roles in total currently. She is a Career coach for doctors, passionate about living in a way that fits your values and helps you find joy, both in and out of work. She is a doctor wellbeing specialist, and Head of Development for The Joyful Doctor.

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• 17: GP+ Palliative Care with Dr Tarana Hafiz

  In this episode of the GP+ Careers podcast, Sophie interviews Dr Tarana Hafiz, a GP with an extended role in Palliative Care. The interview explores the practicalities of her split week between general practice and specialty work, the benefits of pursuing a special interest, and advice for other GPs on how to develop a similar career, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and hands-on experience over formal qualifications like diplomas. Top tips Prioritize finding mentors and building your network:   Finding mentors is considered essential. Look for someone who is willing to invest in you, take the time to train you, and be part of your career journey, informing you of opportunities. Engage with Consultants: Tarana states that Palliative care consultants are notoriously friendly and very approachable. Don’t hesitate to reach out to them, especially during your GP training, to spend some time with them and build relationships.  Gain direct clinical experience before investing in qualifications: Tarana emphasises that gaining experience is key. Instead of immediately investing time and money in expensive diplomas or courses, focus on practical exposure first. Shadowing and short contracts: Tarana suggests speaking to your local team, having shadowing days, or taking on a short-term contract with the local hospice to determine if the specialty is truly for you. Attend clinics: Ask local community or hospital teams if you can go to clinics to see if this is an area where you want to invest more time. Start locally with enthusiasm and Quality Improvement:  The most important requirement is having enthusiasm and interest to be part of the specialty. You can begin developing your interest right within your current general practice setting. Utilize Daffodil Standards: A great place to start is by looking at the Daffodil Standards. This is a framework/toolkit that GPs can use for a quality improvement project within their own practice, focusing on areas like early identification, bereavement, and care after death for patients with advanced serious illness and end-of-life care. Join projects: Reach out to local teams and ask them to be part of quality improvement projects. Engage in diverse learning opportunities: There are a variety of ways to build your knowledge in the area such as: E-learning: Spend time doing e-learning to understand what palliative care is about. Resources include e-learning available through the RCGP website. Workshops and courses: Attend local training and courses available from organisations like the Royal Society of Medicine (RSM) or Royal College of Physicians (RCP) on topics such as symptom control, advanced communication skills, and advanced care planning. Also, some local hospices nationwide sometimes run affordable communication workshops. Reading: Spend time reading around the subject, including insightful books from authors like Kathryn Mannix, who writes about terminal illness from a patient's perspective. Be open to varied job titles and focus on the opportunity: When looking for paid roles, remember that opportunities may not always be advertised specifically as "GP with a special interest". Look broadly: The role Tarana obtained was not a GP with a special interest position initially; she took it on as a Clinical Fellow, which later developed into a speciality doctor role. Satisfy your cravings: Focus on finding an opportunity that allows you to manage more complexities and satisfy the craving for a more varied work week.  Job titles are secondary: Tarana stressed that the job title was not the primary concern; the opportunity to embark on a different venture and manage medical complexities is more important. Further reading RCGP Mentoring platform  Daffodil Standards RCGP E-learning end of life and palliative care toolkit GPwER in palliative and end of life care framework Tell us what you thought! We'd love to hear your valuable feedback. Please take 2 minutes to complete the form.

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• 16: GP+ Gambling Harms with Dr Emma Ryan

  In this episode of the GP+ Careers podcast, Sophie interviews Dr Emma Ryan, a GP partner and Clinical Director, and also serves as the lead GP at the UK's first national primary care gambling harms service, established in 2019. She discusses her dual role, the holistic mental health assessments offered by her service for individuals experiencing gambling harm, and the service's evolution from self-referrals to increasing GP referrals. The episode also covers Dr Ryan's journey into this specialised field, the importance of raising awareness among healthcare professionals, and advice for GPs interested in diversifying their careers into similar areas of special interest. Top tips Educate yourself thoroughly: Begin by reading the latest NICE guidelines on gambling harms (2025), which recommend GPs ask about gambling harms in certain consultations, especially mental health consultations. You can also attend a free RCGP Gambling Harms webinar, which provides an overview of the NICE guideline Gambling-related harms and its relevance to CQC, practical interventions to use during consultations such as the Very Brief Advice (VBA), signposting to local support, and insights from lived experience. Attendance at a webinar will enable full accreditation under the RCGP Gambling Harms Scheme, unlocking access to valuable resources, patient-facing posters, and recognition for your practice. Also make use of the RCGP Gambling Harms Hub, which offers additional learning resources such as e-Learning modules and podcasts. Connect with established services and networks: Reach out to the Primary Care Gambling Service, as they are keen to expand their network of interested GPs and have links across all regions. Also, explore the National Gambling Support Network, commissioned  by Gamble Aware, to find information about services available in different areas. It's also beneficial to visit existing voluntary (third) sector treatment and support services to understand their long-standing work. Leverage your existing GP skills and embrace opportunities: Your core GP skills, such as being interested in patients and their stories, are highly valuable, and you shouldn't let imposter syndrome hold you back. Your role primarily involves identifying patients and conducting initial holistic mental health assessments, not necessarily providing the specific therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Be open to saying "yes" to new experiences, as an initial interest can lead to significant career development and opportunities. Understand the evolving landscape and funding: Be aware that increased funding is now being directed towards the NHS for gambling harm treatment and support, making this a timely opportunity for GPs to get involved. Recognising gambling harm as a "hidden addiction" that patients often suffer from for many years before seeking help highlights the crucial need for easy referral pathways and GP awareness. Develop strong organisational and leadership skills: If you balance multiple roles, you must be highly organised and excellent at time management. Clearly separate your "gambling harms days" from "GP days" to ensure focus in each role and prioritize your main tasks over checking emails first to prevent getting sidetracked. Leadership experience can be very valuable in setting up or developing services. Further reading RCGP Gambling Harms Hub: https://elearning.rcgp.org.uk/course/view.php?id=734  Primary Care Gambling Service: https://www.primarycaregamblingservice.co.uk/ NICE guidelines (2025): https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng248 Emma qualified from King’s College London in 1999 and began her career in General Practice in 2005. She is a GP Partner and PCN Clinical Director.  She has been part of the team that has established the Primary Care Gambling Service. A national service that provides free, confidential, NHS treatment for those experiencing gambling harms.    She is a GP trainer, and educational supervisor and has worked with the Royal College of General Practitioners to develop a specific Gambling Learning Hub on the college’s website. This is an educational resource for the whole primary care team. In parallel to this includes an accreditation scheme developed for GP practices to enlist to. This is for practices to highlight to their patients that they are knowledgeable in gambling harms. She is the co-author of a Primary Care Gambling Competency Framework endorsed by the RCGP and was a committee member of the NICE Guideline Gambling: identification, diagnosis and management committee that was published in January 2025. Tell us what you thought! We'd love to hear your valuable feedback. Please take 2 minutes to complete the form.

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• 15: GP+ Minor Ops with Dr Pim Dhahan

  This month, we hear from Dr Pim Dhahan, a GP in Birmingham with a special interest in minor surgery. He shares his journey into minor operations, emphasising the importance of accredited courses and hands on experience gained through observation and supervised practice. He also outlines a number of benefits of the role such as providing a practical and engaging alternative to GP work and reducing hospital wait times. Top Tips Observe and get involved in your local area - If your practice already offers minor surgery, Pim suggests that you go and attend a session to see what is involved. If your practice does not perform minor operations, find out who does within your local Primary Care Network (PCN) and see if you can observe them. Observing others will help you determine if you truly have an interest and will enjoy this type of work. Complete an accredited course - To carry out minor procedures in practice, you must first complete an accredited course. Look for courses run by the RCGP or through the Association of Surgeons in Primary Care. Pim, for instance, used his study budget to do the RCGP minor surgery course. These courses may include a small assessment, potentially involving practical elements like removing a paintball pellet from pig skin or assessing your suturing skills. Gain hands-on experience with supervision - After completing an accredited course, do not immediately start performing procedures on your own. Pim advises you sit in with or assist someone who already performs minor surgery so they can observe you and ensure you are comfortable. Start by performing small procedures with a supervisor to build your confidence, then gradually move to doing them independently. It is important to build up your portfolio of accreditation and experience. Explore funding opportunities - If you are a GP trainee and interested in minor ops, consider using your study budget to attend RCGP-accredited courses. However, if you are an established salaried doctor or partner, present a case to your practice. Highlight that minor surgery is beneficial for patients and can bring in funding that will surpass the cost of the course itself.  Commit to regular practice and continuous auditing - Minor surgery is a skill that needs to be performed regularly to maintain proficiency. Continuously audit your work, checking for complications like infections, and assessing the accuracy of your diagnoses. Pim noted that he gets about 70% of his differentials correct, which is acceptable as long as no cancers are accidentally removed.     Further reading RCGP Minor Surgery courses: www.rcgp.org.uk/learning-resources/courses-and-events/minor-surgery Association of Surgeons of Primary Care (ASPC): www.aspc-uk.net/ Dr Pim Dhahan is a Birmingham based GP Partner, Trainer and TPD with a special interest in Minor Surgery and interest that started as a GP Trainee in Dermatology. His main focus of work is as a grass-roots GP based in North Birmingham. Tell us what you thought! We'd love to hear your valuable feedback. Please take 2 minutes to complete the form.

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• 14: GP+ Academic with Dr Tom Purchase

  In this episode, Sophie speaks with Dr Tom Purchase, a First5 GP and a Health and Care Research Wales NIHR Doctoral Fellow at Cardiff University. Tom describes his career journey into his doctoral fellowship, where to look and how to secure some funding opportunities, and the benefits of the role. Top tips Be Curious and ask questions - Tom’s journey began by simply asking a GP colleague what she was doing in her academic GP role. Don’t underestimate the power of curiosity and conversation, as most people are happy to share their experiences and may connect you with others or current projects. Seek early opportunities even without prior research experience - You don’t need formal research qualifications to start. Tom didn’t have any before his postgraduate certificate. He built experience by joining projects, showing interest, and asking how he could get involved. Take initiative and look for small roles on existing studies. Apply for small-scale research funding early on - Start small and go from there. Tom received a grant from the RCGP Scientific Foundation Board which is perfect for early-career GPs wanting to trial an idea. These short-term grants help you develop a track record and build your portfolio for larger funding later (e.g. NIHR , Health and Care Research Wales etc). Be Aware of the Challenges - The role is not without some challenges such as: Job security: Early academic roles are often fixed term Financial hit (initially): Academic salaries may be lower than full-time clinical GP work. Juggling roles: You need flexibility and resilience to balance deadlines with clinical responsibilities and personal life. Appreciate the benefits – variety, impact and autonomy - Academic GP work brings a number of benefits such as: Variety: Every week can be different, for example, teaching, research, and conferences. Autonomy: You can shape your projects and personal development based on your interests. Wider impact: Your research can change policy or clinical practice nationally or globally. Tom’s experiences even led him to the WHO in Geneva—a unique opportunity to contribute to global health initiatives. Master organisation and time management -Academic work can involve different demands to clinical work, including project planning, literature reviews, participant recruitment, writing, and meeting deadlines.. Being organised and managing your own time becomes a crucial skill. Further reading: How RCGP support your research (including information on the Scientific Foundation Board): rcgp.org.uk/representing-you/research-at-rcgp/how-rcgp-support-your-research National Institute for Health and Care Research: nihr.ac.uk The Society for Academic Primary Care (SAPC): sapc.ac.uk Primary Care Academic Collaborative (PACT): gppact.org Tom's fellowship project IncorporAting parental health aDVOcaCy when mAnaging unwell Children in primarY care (ADVOCACY): a multi-methods systems approach to co-develop a complex intervention | Health Care Research Wales Dr Tom Purchase is a General Practitioner and a Health and Care Research Wales NIHR Doctoral Fellow at Cardiff University.  Tom works with the Patient Safety team at the Division of Population Medicine where his research has focussed on exploring patient safety data to generate recommendations to improve healthcare safety for vulnerable groups. Tom has an interest in applying systems-thinking through the principles of Human Factors and Ergonomics to patient safety research to better understand system complexity within healthcare. Tom’s current fellowship aims to understand how and where parental advocacy takes place within primary care. The project will explore how parents speaking up for their child can be better supported and incorporated into the management of unwell children. This will inform the co-development of system changes to help parents and healthcare staff work together to reduce healthcare-associated harms. Tell us what you thought! We'd love to hear your valuable feedback. Please take 2 minutes to complete the form.

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