Leadership Skills to Excel as a Newly Qualified GP

As a newly qualified General Practitioner (GP), you’re embarking on a journey that extends beyond diagnosing ailments and prescribing treatments. Developing leadership skills is paramount to your growth as a well-rounded and effective GP. This article delves into the importance of cultivating leadership skills and offers guidance on how to foster these attributes as you step into your role.

The evolving role of a GP: beyond clinical expertise

Alongside diagnosing and treating patients, GPs are expected to lead and collaborate within multidisciplinary teams, contribute to practice management, and drive patient-centered care initiatives. This expanded role necessitates leadership skills that extend your influence beyond individual patient interactions.

Why leadership skills matter for GPs:

• Enhanced patient care: Strong leadership skills enable you to coordinate care plans, communicate effectively with patients and their families, and make informed decisions that align with their best interests.
• Effective team collaboration: GPs work within multidisciplinary teams, including nurses, specialists, and administrative staff. Leadership skills enable you to guide and collaborate with these teams for comprehensive patient care.
• Practice management: As you progress in your career, you may find yourself involved in practice management decisions. Leadership abilities aid in strategic planning, resource allocation, and fostering a positive work environment.
• Advocacy and innovation: Leadership skills empower you to advocate for your patients’ needs and contribute to innovative approaches in healthcare delivery.

Fostering leadership skills for new GPs:

• Effective communication: Mastering communication is fundamental. Practice active listening to understand patient concerns and convey information clearly. This skill extends to interacting with colleagues and administrative staff.
• Empathy and emotional intelligence: Understand patients’ emotions and respond empathetically. This not only strengthens patient relationships but also enhances teamwork and collaboration.
• Decision making: Develop the ability to make timely and informed decisions. Consider clinical evidence, patient preferences, and ethical considerations.
• Conflict resolution: Conflicts are inevitable in healthcare settings. Learn to address conflicts professionally, seeking win-win solutions that prioritise patient care.
• Delegation: Effective delegation is crucial in managing workload and ensuring patient care quality. Delegate tasks to the appropriate team members, considering their skills and capabilities.
• Time management: Balance patient appointments, administrative duties, and self-care. Effective time management ensures you remain attentive to both patients and personal well-being.
• Continuous learning: Stay updated with medical advancements and engage in continuous professional development. Leadership skills are enhanced when grounded in up-to-date knowledge.
• Networking and collaboration: Engage with peers, mentors, and professional associations. Networking offers diverse perspectives and mentorship opportunities.
• Resilience: The healthcare field can be demanding. Develop resilience to navigate challenges while maintaining focus on patient care.

Putting leadership skills into practice:

• Patient centered approach: Prioritise patient needs, involve them in decision-making, and tailor care plans to their preferences.
• Team engagement: Foster a collaborative environment by acknowledging and valuing the contributions of all team members.
• Initiate improvement: Identify areas for improvement and propose changes that enhance patient care, streamline processes, or improve practice efficiency.
• Professional development: Attend leadership workshops, seminars, and courses to refine your skills. Seek guidance from experienced leaders in healthcare.
• Lead by example: Demonstrate professionalism, empathy, and effective communication in all interactions, inspiring your colleagues to follow suit.
• Seek feedback: Request feedback from colleagues and patients to identify areas for improvement in your leadership style.

As you transition from being a medical student to a newly qualified GP, remember that leadership skills are not just a supplementary attribute; they’re integral to your success in the evolving healthcare landscape. Embrace the challenge of nurturing these skills, for they will empower you to not only provide exceptional patient care but also inspire positive change within your practice and the broader healthcare community. Your journey towards becoming a well-rounded leader is a transformative one that will undoubtedly enrich both your professional and personal life.

For healthcare professionals looking to further develop their leadership skills, the NHS offers valuable E-learning resources through the Healthcare Leadership Model, which you can access here.