First Five: Essentials Course

This is a broad module that covers the essential skills to finding work, researching a practice and targeting your application. I will also be focusing on common interview questions and optimal ways of answering these and look at the frequently used strategies that are not as effective as you might think!

Negotiation techniques are an essential component of any job application process and there are strategies that work if approached correctly - this module will give you some of the more effective approaches and discuss when to use them.

When first starting in primary care, the learning curve is steep and we have to have the skills to communicate effectively with colleagues, whether we are starting in a partnership or salaried role, or working as a locum. Different roles require similar skills and some different approaches depending on who you are speaking with. In the session, I'll be looking at communication with clinical and non-clinical colleagues, common issues that cause friction, for example, interruptions and also look at how to supervise colleagues if that is part of your role.

Assertiveness training is an essential technique to assist authentic communication and this is presented here, alongside techniques to use if you are within a hierarchy and need to be assertive to those 'above you' in the system.

Often the most challenging part of working in primary care are difficult consultations where you are stressed, the patient is unhappy, there are no obvious solutions, there's a high level of expressed emotion, or you just dread seeing a particular patient. We've all been there!

This module specifically approaches how you can reduce the stress within consultations and explores the themes of effective communication, trauma-informed care, how to use boundaries effectively, and how to use specific communication skills to address conflict or drama within the consultation.

Sadly, complaints are an everyday occurrence in primary care, with the majority of GPs dealing with 2-5 complaints, on average, per year. They can be stressful, demoralising and suck away time from the 101 other things that require your attention. Some complaints, are even more challenging and may involve NHSE or the GMC.

In this module I will show you how to minimise your risk of complaint, protect yourself if you experience one, reduce the time taken to deal with responding effectively, and lower your risk of escalating complaints.

In Primary Care, time is limited and consulting is challenging within the time frames allocated, be that 10 or 15 minutes. This module explores ways that you can save time by working smarter and using systems to reduce decision fatigue, minimise distraction, and ensure that consultations keep to time without provoking complaints and annoyance.

One of the major issues that primary care staff report is taking work home, staying late, and feeling overwhelmed by unfinished work - this module will show you techniques for getting home on time and protecting your work-life balance.

Primary is a challenging and rewarding environment to work in but it can be hectic, isolating, and overwhelming at times. This module looks at how to recognise burnout and imposter syndrome and avoid the slope into difficulty and reduced wellbeing.

I explore techniques to reduce burnout, stress, and boost wellbeing and include techniques to boost wellbeing in your workplace and recognise when colleagues may be struggling and how to support them.