INTRODUCTION
The tipping point that led to this article being written was the publication in the Lancet of data unequivocally demonstrating the remarkable increase in pressure in the last few years on primary care and particularly on GPs.1 There have been other times when pressure on GPs has been notable — the new GP contract of 2004 was a response to similar circumstances. But with resources for general practice falling in real terms as a proportion of the total NHS budget2 and GP recruitment difficulties as bad as they have been for many decades,3 both authors felt some guiding principles might help in these difficult times.
Inspired by other ‘commandments’,4,5 these are an honest and heartfelt attempt to be supportive to colleagues. They are undoubtedly not perfect.
1. Thou shalt look after thyself as well as thy patients
Workdays are long and filled with many complex and insoluble problems. Take time to eat good food and drink fluids at sensible intervals. Use that time to rest for a few minutes rather than trying to be superhuman and working without breaks. Make sure you get some exercise regularly and prioritise finding time for outside interests, an early night, and some relaxation whenever you can.
2. Thou shalt keep a sense of perspective
The arc of history is long. This is a difficult time now, perhaps the …