Alumni Stories: Autonomy, satisfaction, gratitude

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man sitting with bronze statue

Julian Marsden (Class of 1981) GP, RCGP Faculty Chair Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, Programme Director for Luton Vocational Training Scheme

I went into medicine as I wanted a career where I could help people. I had an interest in human biology, and I recognised medicine as a career where I could earn enough to buy a house and raise a family, even though it wouldn’t necessarily make me rich!

Liverpool is a great city to be a student in, with great pubs, restaurants, football, entertainment and student life. We liked eating Greek food, and Zorba’s restaurant was a favourite and is still there today. I loved tahini sauce and had no idea at the time that there was so much garlic in it!

I used to watch Liverpool or Everton play, whichever team was at home. I was neutral at first, but my friends were Evertonians, and eventually I followed suit.

Over the years, I have often questioned that decision!

Anatomy was taught by Professor Harrison, in the old lecture theatre, and we learned by dissecting a cadaver. No amount of aftershave could disguise the smell left on my clothes! I didn’t feel well prepared for working on the wards, and in hindsight wished I’d spent more time shadowing junior doctors before I became one myself.

I became a GP and have recently retired after 35 years working in a General Practice in Luton. Being a GP gives a huge variety of clinical experience, and you get to know patients and their families over time.

The RCGP is there to improve General Practice, and you will find colleagues outside of your workplace. The annual conferences are well worth attending. I got involved with my local RCGP faculty early on, and I would encourage young GPs to do the same. I started off making tea for the august and senior GPs, and finished up as Chair of the faculty, and then Provost (old buzzard).

As a GP Principal, you have a degree of autonomy that other specialties do not offer, which helps manage your work-life balance.

Developing consultation skills can be a career-long interest. I became a GP trainer, and then Programme Director for the local Vocational Training Scheme. I developed an interest in diabetes and did the joint injections for the Practice. Having different interests helps avoid burnout!

The media can paint a rather negative picture of the stresses faced by GPs and hospital doctors. But while there is stress, I have found working as a doctor to give huge rewards of satisfaction, esteem, and gratitude.

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