ABSTRACT
Learning how to consult as a GP is very different from what you may have been used to in hospital practice, particularly if you have only worked in a hospital setting as a relatively junior practitioner. GPs are still part of a wider team, particularly with initiatives such as clinical commissioning groups and peer review of referrals. However, on a daily basis, consulting as a GP involves a very small partnership: that of you and the patient in front of you. In most instances (particularly when you are fully qualifi ed) it will be up to you to formulate a shared, agreed management plan with your patient without needing to consult anyone else. There will, of course, still be instances when you need to seek advice from either your hospital or practice colleagues, but one of the key skills that you need to master as a GP is that of being able to deal with uncertainty.
