6 top tips to make your general practice rotation count

General practice rotations provide medical students an opportunity to understand and experience the rewards, benefits and challenges of clinical practice in a general practice or community setting.

In general practice rotations, students learn how to assess and manage both acute and chronic medical conditions, particularly common illnesses such as hypertension and diabetes. Patient education and health maintenance is emphasised, and students further develop communication and physical examination skills.

How do you get the most out of doing clinical placements in a general practice? These tips will help.

1. Be positive.

Approach your general practice rotation in a positive manner and seek to make the most of all the learning opportunities offered.

2. Define your interests.

Give some thought to your interest areas in general practice and your specific personal learning objectives.

3. Talk to your teacher.

Meet with your GP clinical teacher at the start of the placement to discuss and formulate key learning objectives with the intention of reviewing these later.

4. Meet and greet.

Actively participate in orientation to the practice by meeting all the staff and understanding their roles.

5. Learn about admin.

Seek to understand administrative processes within the practice including billing and referral systems.

6. Download GP Companion.

GP Companion is a handy reference of GP clinical guidelines and data compiled by GPSN to assist medical students on GP rotations. Download it as an e-book or ask the General Practice Student Ambassador at your university for a pocket-sized hard copy.

And don’t forget to have fun!