New Fellows – The Path to Supervision
by General Practice Supervision Australia (GPSA)
Congratulations on becoming Fellows of General Practice!
Throughout your journey, you’ve been supported and guided by experienced and qualified educators in medicine and general practice. As a learner, every time you entered a clinical setting, you were under the supervision of a medical professional. Though you might not have always realised it, during your years as a medical student and junior doctor in the hospital, supervisors played a crucial role in shaping your development. These mentors guided, educated, and coached you to become the professional you are today.
As a new Fellow, the community now looks to you to become a supervisor at some point in your medical career. Giving back is woven into the very fabric of being a medical practitioner; it’s a core principle of the medical ethos. Just as you were supported and guided throughout your training, the time will come for you to pass on that knowledge, mentorship, and guidance to the next generation of doctors.
What is a GP Supervisor?
A GP supervisor is a general practitioner who plays a key role in fostering an educational relationship that supports both the clinical and personal development of a learner. This includes medical students, prevocational doctors, international medical professionals, and GP/RG registrars.
GP supervisors take on several important roles, including:
- Clinical Overseer – Ensuring safe and effective patient care while learners observe and participate.
- Educator – Providing instruction and imparting knowledge tailored to the learner’s expertise.
- Mentor – Guiding the learner through professional challenges and personal growth.
- Role Model – Demonstrating best practices and professional standards in clinical work.
- Assessor – Evaluating the learner’s progress and competencies in a structured manner.
- Coach – Supporting the learner in skill development and fostering self-efficacy.
- Pastoral Carer – Attending to the emotional and psychological well-being of the learner.
In fulfilling these roles, GP supervisors balance the demands of patient safety, the educational experience of the learner, and their own well-being. It’s a delicate balance, but it’s what makes GP supervisors fundamental to the training and development of future GPs and RGs.
This role is immensely rewarding but can come with challenges. Rest assured, plenty of support is available to guide you through this journey.
Educational Support for New Supervisors
As a new supervisor, you may have already completed basic training through your host institution (college, university, etc.). The GPSA offers a wealth of resources to complement this training and help you expand your knowledge and skills.
Supervisors can join the GPSA Community of Practice to access ongoing support from a network of like-minded professionals.
- Live Education – GPSA runs a webinar series covering a range of supervision topics, delivered by expert speakers. (Click here to see upcoming webinars.)
- Resources – GPSA offers an extensive library of resources, including comprehensive guides, recorded webinars, podcasts, and even games for hands-on, engaging learning.
Join the GPSA Community
Membership in the GPSA Community is open to everyone involved in GP training. As new Fellows, you can join by creating an account. This will give you access to a wide range of resources and benefits, all designed to support your journey as a supervisor.
As a GPSA Community member, you can reap the rewards of peer to peer connection, members-only tools and discounts and unique opportunities to drive change for the sector. Opportunities for mentoring and being mentored are also available.
To get started, visit GPSA Community’s website: GPSA Community and create your account today.
GPSA looks forward to supporting you as you take the next step in your professional journey and contribute to the training of future GPs.
You can find out more about Supervision here.
