Home > Information for doctors >Tutorials >Choosing a Practice

Francisco Machado 6/1/97

Ask yourself :

• What sort of doctor am I?
• What are my goals and aspirations?
• What do I want from my partners and practice?
• What interests do I want to persue?
• What areas of my professional life would I not compromise?
• What about my spouse's job?

1. Geography and type of practice

Recognise the differences between rural, semi urban and inner city practices regarding differences in the type of care provided e.g. intra partum, access to secondary care, out of hours etc.
Is it a training /teaching practice?

Practice demography may be important e.g. don't go and work in Eastbourne if you don't like geriatrics

2. The partners

• Do I want to be in a partnership?
• Who are they?
• What are their interests?
• Outside commitments?
• Prescribing attitudes e.g. antibiotics for colds
• Approach to PHCT?, RCGP

3. Agreement

• Study leave
• Holidays
• Decision making does any one have the veto
• On call

4. Income

• What goes into the pot
• What sort of income should one aim for
• How is the income distributed
• What about Parity
• Buying in
• How is tax dealt with
• Private income and its distribution
• Will you be expected to have an outside appointment

5. Accounts

• Compare with another set
• Targets met etc

Ask yourself

Does the practice suit me as a doctor?

Do the existing partners share my professional values?

Am I going to get a fair deal?

Do I need to take advice?

Gather information about the practice from all possible sources e.g. other

local GPs, reps, local CME tutors, BMA e.t.c

Page compiled by Francisco Machado

Last update 6/1/97