ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the hopes and fears of one of younger doctors, who look for freedom, flexibility and choice in their general practitioners (GP) careers. The medical work-force is becoming ‘feminised’ by more female graduates. The ‘baggage’ can be anything from being restricted to a single working location to the potentially crippling financial commitment that joining a partnership might entail. They also seek to engage in a variety of activities – both clinical and non-clinical, and more broadly medical and non-medical. Being a non-principal has advantages and disadvantages both to the individuals concerned and to patients and the wider National Health Service. Non-principals increasingly plug the service gaps attendant on these activities in a symbiotic relationship that involves all GPs. By maintaining freedom and remaining flexible, non-principals can avoid the potentially mind-numbing drudgery that can come with non-stop general practice. Freedom, flexibility and enthusiasm are important for the prevention of burnout.
