Very soon, we final-year medical students will step into a new role: that of General Practitioner in training. Throughout our studies, we encountered a wide range of medical specialties, each with its own value. But it was general practice that truly spoke to us — through its diversity, its human-centred approach, and its undeniable relevance to society.
The GP sits at the very heart of our healthcare system. Without a strong and effective primary care service, A&E departments become overwhelmed, specialists lose oversight, and patients risk getting lost in a maze of hospitals and subspecialties. The GP keeps the bigger picture in view, connects the dots and offers guidance. This central role makes the profession not only indispensable, but also deeply fascinating.
What draws us to this career? The sheer variety of conditions, patients and stages of life. As a GP, you’re close to life in every sense — from birth right through to end-of-life care. Prevention is a core part of the job, allowing us to make a difference not just to individuals, but to society as a whole.
"We’ve made a deliberate choice to go into general practice, because we see the beauty of the profession"
That long-term, trusted relationship with patients and their families brings a depth that’s hard to match. In palliative care, for example, we are privileged to support people in their most vulnerable moments — a responsibility we carry with humility.
General practice also offers significant flexibility. Whether you work alone or as part of a group practice, you’re never on your own. Collaborating with fellow doctors, nurses, psychologists and other primary care professionals enhances both our daily work and the care we’re able to provide. There’s also room to shape your own path — whether through research, teaching, prevention work or focusing on specific patient groups, this profession is rich with possibilities.
Yet in recent years, general practice has often been cast in a negative light. We hear talk of heavy workloads, endless admin and a shortage of new recruits. These concerns are real — but they don’t tell the whole story. They overlook the strength, the purpose and the intrinsic value of being a GP.
We don’t want the image of the GP to be reduced to that of an overstretched clinician in a strained system. Quite the opposite. We see a profession where you can truly be present with patients, work independently, think creatively and deliver care in a profoundly human way. We believe in this profession — wholeheartedly, and with hope for the future.
We have chosen general practice because we recognise its beauty. And we hope, in doing so, we might inspire others to make the same choice.
Yagmur Aydogan, Sofie Vande Kerckhove, Lander Tratsaert, Rajae Bindach