5 Reasons To Become A GP

Becoming a general practitioner (GP) is one of the more common career paths that people entering the medical profession pursue. There are some very good reasons for this. While it’s just one of many possible careers in healthcare, becoming a GP in Australia certainly has its perks and advantages.

Let’s take a look at some top reasons to become a GP and discover if it’s the right career choice for you.

#1 – You Can Choose Your Own Hours

Because general practitioners work in medical centres and private practices for the most part, a GP has a lot more flexibility and can choose which hours they want to work. If a GP works in a medical centre that’s 24/7, there is even more scope for flexibility when it comes to working hours.

For other medical specialties who work in a hospital environment, the exact opposite is often true, where the need to work long hours or overtime is often a requirement.

A GP has a lot more freedom and choices, which is certainly a plus when it comes to creating a work/life balance.

#2 – Choose Your Own Income

The income of a GP can be very lucrative, even when just working regular hours. Qualified GPs earn $300k+ per year and if a GP wishes to earn even more money, then you can simply choose to work longer hours, such as during the evening and on weekends, or choose to work on public holidays. This will increase your income significantly, making this career choice even more lucrative.

Working in certain locations can also lead to an increase in the income of a GP; particularly if it’s an area where a centre or clinic is struggling to find stable staff members.

#3 – The Freedom To Work In Your Desired Location

Medical professionals whose careers require them to predominantly work in a hospital environment don’t have anywhere near as much freedom as a general practitioner. For hospital workers, they need to live in an area where a major hospital is located. For a GP, you can choose to live and work practically anywhere that you desire.

Some GPs prefer the quiet life of a small country town, while others enjoy the more vibrant lifestyle of the big city. The point is, as a GP who is not reliant on a large hospital for employment, you have so much more freedom when it comes to where you choose to live and work.

For the more adventurous GP, you could even seek employment as a doctor on a cruise ship or in exotic overseas locations. You have choices everywhere.

#4 – Build Long-Term Relationships With Your Patients

Patients tend to like visiting the same doctor, which is why many GPs are considered the “family doctor” by many of their patients. People feel more comfortable dealing with a doctor they’re familiar with and have come to know.

As a GP, you experience the personal satisfaction of building long-term relationships with your patients, something that rarely happens in a hospital environment or other specialist field of healthcare.

There is a certain degree of job satisfaction that comes from building these ongoing relationships between doctor and patient and knowing that so many patients trust your judgement and your treatment abilities.

#5 – Specialise In Areas That Interest You

Becoming a general practitioner in Australia can lead to so many other opportunities for career advancement. It’s like the stepping stone to so many career choices and the ability to specialise in a certain field of medicine.

For example, a GP may go on to specialise in paediatrics, anaesthesia, emergency medicine, women’s health, skin conditions, medical cannabis and many other specialties, depending on your areas of interest.

As you can see, the life of a GP or general practitioner has advantages and flexibility. There is so much more freedom when you’re a GP as compared to some other healthcare professional career paths.

Find the Right Role With Expert Recruitment Services

JPS Medical Recruitment is more than just a run of the mill recruitment or employment agency. We specialise in helping people in the medical profession find their perfect position. Whether you’re a GP, a Registrar, a staff specialist or involved in any healthcare type of role, we are your recruitment agency of choice. So, give us a call and discover how we can help you.