‘A generational shift’: Spotlight on the evolution of general practice

‘Things are changing very rapidly – the traditional career path that we’ve historically carved is no longer entirely relevant.’
 
That is GP Dr Amandeep Hansra reflecting on the annual Creative Careers in Medicine conference, which took place in Melbourne at the weekend.
 
Dr Hansra, who also works as the Australian Digital Health Agency’s Chief Clinical Advisor, founded Creative Careers in Medicine in 2018 to bring ‘together doctors, medical students, people who were looking at medicine in a slightly different way’.
 
Technology and workforce sustainability were among the key themes this year for delegates at the Albert Park venue.
 
‘We’re going to be delivering healthcare in an increasingly digital world, so we talked a lot about how AI and technology are going to change the way that we practice,’ she told newsGP.
 
‘A lot of GPs and other healthcare professionals are seeking different things from their careers, so there’s a lot more interest in flexible work, portfolio careers, innovation roles, and having creative outlets to deal with the increasingly complex and difficult work that we do.
 
‘Part of what we’re doing is encouraging retention, preventing burnout and then fostering this innovation in the health system – it’s really a response to this generational shift that we’re seeing with GPs wanting careers with meaning and flexibility and impact.’
 
Among the keynote speakers was RACGP President Dr Michael Wright, who described the conference as a ‘brilliant concept’ that helps doctors to find a better balance in their clinical work.
 
‘I had the opportunity to present a keynote speech talking about my journey and the balance of clinical care, academic research, and increasing leadership as the college president,’ he told newsGP.
 
‘It’s really a great experience to see so many enthusiastic GPs and other non-GP specialists meeting, talking, and sharing their stories, showing enthusiasm for their future plans, and working out how they can make the most of their career after completing their medical degree.
 
‘There were people of all ages, from medical students through to experienced leaders and it was a really great opportunity to share ideas and lessons.’
 
Dr Hansra says part of the intent of the conference is to showcase the wide array of opportunities, particularly for those choosing general practice as a career.
 
‘If you’re a cardiothoracic surgeon, you’re unlikely to have many different options,’ she said.  
 
‘For those people seeking flexibility and a continuous evolution in their career, general practice is a great foundation.
 
‘We were able to talk to a lot of junior doctors and medical students about the great advantage of going into general practice training.’
 
Other GPs presenting at the conference included Dr Janice Tan, Dr Preeya Alexander, Dr Ramya Raman, Dr Darran Foo, Professor Liz Sturgiss, and Dr Michael Bonning.
 
With this wide array of presenters, Dr Hansra said the conference also showed how GPs can use their transferable skills in other areas shaping the health system of the future.
 
‘It showed just how clinicians can help shape not just the delivery of healthcare on the frontline, but also have roles in leadership in policy, in technology, in design, in entrepreneurship, in lots of diverse ways,’ she said.
 
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