Dr Amir Khan

(from the series GPs: Behind closed doors) GP with special interest in diabetes and GP trainer, Bradford

I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do as a career during my foundation year posts but after a brief flirtation with paediatrics, I applied for general practice.

It’s strange because at the time I didn’t really have any strong feelings towards it but now I couldn’t be more passionate about community medicine and my patients. I have been qualified as a GP for 11 years and absolutely love coming to work every day.

You get a sense from the media and some colleagues that the workload is unmanageable and stress levels are high and that is partly true. What nobody seems to mention is the support you get from your colleagues at the practice, the enjoyment from getting to know families and watching them grow and all the opportunities you are afforded as a GP.

I am a GPwSI in diabetes and a GP trainer – and each time one of my trainees passes an exam or qualifies it still gives me such pleasure. Each trainee comes with their own story and it’s a joy getting to know them and developing lifelong friendships. I am also an Honorary Senior Lecturer at both Leeds and Bradford University. Teaching undergraduates is another passion of mine. I try to instil a sense of what good general practice can feel like in all the students I come across.

As a practice we are involved in various projects that are designed to improve health outcomes for our community. I’m currently working on a large project across Bradford in partnership with Yorkshire Cancer Research to encourage more minority ethnic ladies to take up cancer screening and reduce related deaths amongst this group – it’s a fascinating piece of work that involves me going out into the community and listening to these women and the challenges facing them in their day to day life.

I couldn’t be happier being a GP in the centre of Bradford – its challenging but hugely rewarding.