Developing a career as a GP educationalist: contemporary challenges and workforce solutions

GP educationalists are crucial in training the future medical workforce and in developing and advancing the field of primary care medical education, yet opportunities in the UK are patchy and varied. In this article, a group of GP educationalists summarise the challenges facing the sustainability of this particular group of clinical academics and outline opportunities available at each career stage, from medical students through to senior GP educationalists. Recommendations to support the growth of this workforce include the development of a nationally recognised framework for GP educationalist careers, collaboration with professional and educational bodies and taking steps to level out opportunities in order to reduce existing inequity.

Automated summary

This article highlights the importance of GP educationalists in training future medical workforce and advancing primary care medical education. However, there are disparities in opportunities in the UK. Recommendations to support the growth of this group include developing a nationally recognized framework, collaborating with professional and educational bodies, and reducing existing inequities.