Leading with Purpose: A Conversation with GPSA Chair Dr Candice Baker
Dr. Candice Baker, has been involved with GPSA for some time. On moving from her role as GPSA Deputy-Chair to the role of Chair GP, we caught up with her to discuss her vision for this new chapter for GPSA. She highlighted leadership and listening.
You’ve stepped into the role of Chair after serving as Deputy Chair. What does becoming Chair mean to you, and how has your perspective shifted?
"I often liken it to moving from the co-pilot seat into the pilot seat, and that’s both exciting and daunting. Our previous Chair, Dr Srishti Dutta, did an absolutely incredible job, so there are certainly big shoes to fill.
"More than anything, though, I feel deeply privileged and honoured to take on this role. Having been a supervisor for a long time, it means a great deal to be able to represent supervisors on the ground and to be the public face of the organisation."
"That visibility comes with a heightened sense of responsibility. As Chair, it’s about ensuring we’re advocating strongly and consistently, and that everything we do aligns with our strategic plan. It’s an exciting step forward, even if I suspect there will be a few curveballs - and some turbulence - along the way."
What are your key priorities as Chair of the GPSA Board, particularly looking ahead to the next year?
"When I think about the next 12 months, a few clear priorities stand out. At the core is strengthening the sustainability, capability and visibility of general practice training across Australia.
"To do that, we need to continue championing supervision and the role of supervisors as central to workforce sustainability. We also need to strengthen GPSA’s partnerships with key stakeholders across the sector. Collaboration is essential if we’re going to make real progress.
"Another priority is enhancing the supervisor experience by continuing to deliver high-quality, practical tools and resources that genuinely support supervisors in their day-to-day work.
"And finally, we must keep supporting the pipeline into general practice, which ultimately links back to building and sustaining our supervisor workforce for the future."
How do you see the supervision landscape changing, and what concerns you most right now?
"The biggest issue on my radar is workforce planning; specifically, understanding who our supervisors are, where they’re working, and how we retain them. At the same time, we need to grow supervision capacity to meet the increasing numbers of prevocational doctors and new trainees entering general practice."
"Supervisor succession planning is becoming increasingly critical, and it’s an area GPSA needs to be actively involved in. While accreditation sits with the colleges - RACGP and ACRRM - we do have an important role in showcasing how rewarding supervision can be and in supporting those considering stepping into supervisory roles.
"This is where collaboration really matters: sharing information, exploring mentoring models, reviewing policies around who can supervise, and identifying barriers for new supervisors or newly qualified fellows. Addressing these challenges together is essential for a sustainable future."
How can GPSA best support supervisors to deliver high-quality supervision while managing the realities of modern general practice?
"I think this is an area where GPSA already does a lot very well, and the key is to keep building on that. Continuing to deliver high-quality, practical resources that supervisors can easily use to plan learning sessions is vital.
"Equally important is providing thoughtful, well-timed education and webinars that reflect where supervisors are in the current training environment. Our core business is supporting supervisors, and we need to keep doing that exceptionally well.
"A big part of this is listening - making sure we’re actively seeking and responding to member feedback, and that what we deliver genuinely reflects what supervisors want and need on the ground."
What role should GPSA play as a national advocate for supervisors in workforce reform and policy discussions?
"The short answer is: we must continue to have a seat at the table. There’s been a significant shift in recent years, with GPSA now included in many critical sector discussions and that presence is essential.
"A quote comes to mind of my country of origin’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney, who recently said, “If you're not at the table then you're on the menu”.
"We need to stay engaged, bring forward innovative ideas, and challenge thinking where needed. Looking internationally and learning from how other countries approach supervision and workforce reform can help us introduce fresh, creative solutions that make decision-makers stop and think."
What does success look like for you as Chair by the end of the year?
"For me, success is knowing that every interaction and decision I’ve been part of was genuinely in the best interests of supervisors. If I can look back and say that everything I did contributed, even in a small way, to improving supervision, then I’ll feel I’ve done the job well.
"Beyond that, it’s about continuous improvement - asking not just whether something is working, but whether it could work better. It’s about future-proofing what we do and ensuring supervisors are supported now and into the future."
Final words for the GPSA community?
"We really want to hear from our members. The best way to do that is through the GPSA Community Portal - jump on, start a discussion, and connect with your peers. Your insights
and experiences are what shape our work."
Return to the February newsletter