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Brighton & Sussex Medical School

GP teachers

GP teachers

We frequently have opportunities for community-based and in-house tutors across the undergraduate GP curriculum.

Please watch the video below, explore the top reasons to get involved in GP teaching and download the BSMS teaching opportunities guide at the bottom of the page. This provides detailed information about the different ways for GPs to teach at BSMS and support our wider undergraduate activities.

We are currently in particular need of community GP teachers for years 1, 2 and 4. For further information, contact Nicky Gilkes (Placement Coordinator) by telephone on 01273 644563 or by email at N.J.Gilkes@bsms.ac.uk. For in-house facilitator roles, please read the job description under Teaching Facilitators.


The impact of training students on a GP practice

1. Enjoy a challenge

Teaching medical students is an adventure, allowing you to look at your own practice anew.

2. Inspire a future doctor

You might be the role model who changes a medical student’s life. It’s a privilege to see and be part of students’ professional and personal growth.

"Having students at the practice has been extremely rewarding for me. It encourages me to review my skills and knowledge as a GP, so is beneficial to my professional development, as well as helping bring through the next generation of doctors."

– Dr Guy Bidwell, the Haven Practice, Brighton

3. Improve your own knowledge

Having to explain your decisions and practice will highlight your own insecurities and gaps in medical knowledge. You often do the right thing, but it’s difficult to argue why. A good medical student will be inquisitive and help you find evidence allowing you to create documentation that will be helpful for your next NHS appraisal.

4. Give something back to medicine

Have you been taught by an outstanding physician and thought you would like to become like him/her? Are there any bits of knowledge and wisdom you wish someone would have told you when you were at their stage of development?

"4th year medical students have good clinical knowledge and skills, and teaching them how to use these in general practice is most enjoyable. It is great to watch them develop their understanding of general practice as a speciality and quite often teaching them this reminds me how much I love being a GP."

– Dr Rani Dhillon, Lime Tree Surgery, Worthing

5. Become recognised for teaching medical students

Brighton and Sussex Medical School offers honorary titles for doctors involved in teaching students. GP teachers also have access to both Sussex and Brighton University facilities and resources, including libraries, seminars and events.

6. Have fun looking after students

Most GP tutors enjoy the responsibility of looking after students. There are few occasions in life that delight teachers as much as enthusiastic and bright students.

"It is now my second year of teaching medical students and I have never looked back. I find it stimulating, challenging and fulfilling. The support I have received from the University has been excellent. I can recommend it to anyone who considers broadening their horizons!"

– Dr Heinrich Van Wyk, Stone Cross Surgery, Pevensey

7. Promote General Practice as a speciality

Medical School clinical teaching is essentially ward-based, but half of graduates will make their career in General Practice. Regardless of where future doctors will practice, they all must gain experience of the health service world outside hospitals.

8. Allow patients to give something back to the Health Service

Most patients enjoy student encounters, second opinion and sense of altruism.

"Our practice has had 4th and 5th year students for the last few years. We find the students a pleasure to work with. The patients also enjoy the contact. Personally I feel having students keeps me on my toes and helps to ward off burn out!"

– Dr Richard Ribbons, Grove Road Surgery, Eastbourne

9. Join a network of teachers and make new friends

We are proud that our network briefing meetings are well attended. We don’t assume it’s just the excellent lunch we offer that makes people come, but we think that GP teachers take pleasure meeting similarly minded colleagues.

10. Showcase your surgery

Patients have high regard for teaching practices and see your engagement in this activity as a marker of good clinical care.