Personal career guidance: case study
GP and Senior Partner
All case studies on this site are fictitious but based on CDU experience.
Dr RG
had been in his practice for 20 years and had a loyal following of devoted
patients. Over the last two years he had become conscious that he was no longer
enjoying his job, everything was an effort and he felt guilty that he
occasionally became bad tempered with the receptionists. He knew that he still
had at least eight years to go before retirement and knew that his partners
needed him to chair meetings and liaise with the practice manager.
He felt
trapped and shared this at his appraisal. His appraiser was concerned that he
might be depressed and urged him to see his own GP. Together Dr G and his GP
agreed that he was not depressed but it was suggested he contact the CDU for
career advice.
His
career guidance interview included a review of his whole career and details of
the effects on him of recent changes in the practice. His Myers Briggs
personality type suggested that he was most comfortable with one-to-one
relationships and he confirmed that his sense of achievement in general
practice had come from diagnosing and looking after patients he had got to know
well over the years. His Myers Briggs personality type also suggested that he
was unlikely to be naturally comfortable taking charge of people or situations.
Gradually
Dr G was helped to understand that recent changes in the practice had reduced
his ability to provide continuity of care for his own patients and he spent at
least two days a week triaging emergencies. In addition, as senior partner he
had been forced to take a lead in the management of the practice which he felt
he was no good at and found boring and frustrating.
His
action plan focused on changes he might make to his existing job and
preparation for negotiations with the practice. Eventually it was agreed that he should reduce to 2/3 time,
stop doing triage and change his role as senior partner with the appointment of
a managing partner. It was also agreed that the partners should take turns
having sabbaticals and as senior partner he was the first away for a six week
break.
On his
return Dr G found that his previous job satisfaction had returned. It was only
when his partners and patients commented on how much more cheerful he seemed,
that he realised how much his previous work arrangements had affected his job
satisfaction.
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