Dr Chris Dickie joins GPRA Board – Championing change and empowering future GPs
Dr Chris Dickie’s journey in medicine is a testament to his unwavering dedication to advocate for and empower junior doctors.
As he steps into his new role of Director on the GPRA Board, his passion for enhancing the lives of GP registrars takes centre stage.
“I nominated for the GPRA Board Director position as I have a strong history in medical advocacy through previous work in the BMA (British Medical Association), and have a passion for improving the working conditions and lives of junior doctors,” Chris said.
His experience spans various domains, from clinical roles in Australia and the UK to non-clinical positions and advocacy work, providing him with a holistic perspective on the challenges and opportunities within health care.
Currently a GP registrar working in New South Wales, Chris graduated from the University of St Andrews and the University of Glasgow in Scotland, completing his intern and resident equivalents around the Glasgow area before moving to Canberra in 2018.
After a few years working in Emergency and in a non-clinical medical administration role, he started GP training in 2022 which had been his plan for several years.
“As a GP registrar, I wanted to focus on the issues that I hear about regularly from my colleagues – pay, leave, difficulties at practice level and at college level,” he said.
His first-hand experience enables him to identify and prioritise crucial areas that impact GP trainees, including advocating for fair compensation, conducive work environments, and comprehensive educational resources.
Recognising the pivotal role GP registrars play in shaping the future of primary healthcare, Chris underscores the significance of organisations such as GPRA.
“GPRA, as the independent organisation run by GP trainees for GP trainees, is incredibly important in this landscape,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to collaborative efforts with bodies such as GPSN to foster, recruit, and retain future GP trainees, while also addressing the immediate concerns faced by current trainees.”
Chris’s multifaceted engagement within the medical community extends beyond his new role at GPRA.
His current positions on the Canberra Region Medical Education Council (CRMEC) and on the RACGP National Faculty of GPs in Training signifies his commitment to forging connections between key organisations dedicated to supporting GP registrars.
Reflecting on his diverse background and roles, Chris is eager to leverage his experiences to advocate for the best training experiences for GP registrars.
“We need general practice to be the attractive, rewarding, and fulfilling career I know it can be,” he said.
“We need to continue lobbying, be involved in stakeholder collaboration, and negotiate future NTCER and employment conditions to build a sustainable GP workforce.”
Beyond medicine, Chris finds joy in activities such as playing ultimate frisbee, indulging in photography, and exploring new places when time permits.
Looking ahead, he anticipates embarking on a new journey as an Academic Registrar through the Australian National University (ANU) in 2024, further expanding his contributions to medical education.
With an open invitation to connect with him on various matters, Chris aims to be a supportive voice for students, pre-vocational doctors, registrars, and New Fellows.
Chris can be contacted via enquiries@gpra.org,au
