Attaining GP Nirvana

This book rather undersells itself in its title. This extraordinary guide sets out to advise and mentor pilgrim trainees in their quest to reach GP nirvana. It has a far from dry prose and speaks from the heart providing sincere advice while trying to save the trainee from many an uncomfortable situation.

The conversational style makes you feel like you are being addressed by a senior trainee or perhaps a friendly supervisor. The initial chapters discuss the philosophy behind the profession putting everything that we do into context. The section on tips about hospital rotations is incredibly useful. Not only does it warn you about the pitfalls to be wary of in 30 different hospital posts but, incredibly, even gives you personal development plan (PDP) ideas! So if you wondered what benefit a post in maxillofacial surgery or colorectal surgery was going to bring to you or were shaking in your shoes about your obstetric post, relax and get some first-hand advice from this book.

There is practical advice on managing your e-portfolio, workplace-based assessments, exams, and much more. Having only recently completed training, I can vouch for the fact that following these tips will make for smooth sailing.

If you have wondered what you were getting into or perhaps worried about what you might be missing from your career, this book will certainly hold your hand. There is a collection of lovely anecdotes dotted around the book practically illustrating what it is to be a GP by immersing you in thought or laughter!

Critiquing this book is difficult but I feel it should have included a chapter on trainees in difficulty or those struggling to pass exams. However, if there is one book that you read in your training that will put your career in perspective and save you from trouble in all its forms it will be this: the extraordinary GP training guide!

• © British Journal of General Practice 2014