Tips for GP trainees working in infectious disease

Abstract

Historically, infectious disease may have been off the radar of junior doctors considering a career in general practice. With the rise in prevalence of HIV infection1 resurgence of tuberculosis2 (TB) and increasing numbers of overseas travellers, aspects of infectious diseases are becoming more and more relevant to GPs. The expansion of foundation training and provision of posts within some GP training programmes (including integrated training posts) has also resulted in increased opportunities to gain some valuable experience in the specialty. This article provides a guide to some of the unique aspects of infectious diseases, to help you prepare for your post, and to highlight the wide range of opportunities to expand skills and knowledge. This will give you a head start in diagnosis and management of infectious disease in the community. 1. Remember to ask. Senior doctors in infectious disease are usually friendly and approachable and would rather be asked than leave you to manage things alone. 2. Many inpatients on infectious disease wards will have underlying HIV or TB, though infectious disease units will also routinely manage those with more common infections such as cellulitis and gastroenteritis. Before starting it would be helpful to brush up on the management of common infections as well as the weird and wonderful. 3. Familiarise yourself with the common tests used to monitor patients with HIV, including viral load and CD4 count. There are also well described thresholds of falling CD4, where opportunistic infections such as Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP), Kaposi’s sarcoma, and …