Shaping the Future of General Practice: Support and Staying the Course

Dr Peter Mitchell has been a GP for more than 30 years, with most of his career spent serving Melbourne’s bayside community. A seasoned GP supervisor, Peter stepped into the role of Supervisor Liaison Officer (SLO) for the RACGP last year after being approached by a long-time colleague.

GPSA’s Communication Manager, Pauline Ingham, spoke with Peter about his journey into the SLO role, what the experience has been like so far, and why supporting the next generation of GPs continues to drive his work.

What was your pathway into your current role as an SLO and what inspired or motivated this path for you?

“I’ve been a supervisor for around eight years, starting before the College took over training. Teaching has always been a passion of mine, and supervising felt like a natural extension both to support the next generation of GPs and to help address workforce needs in our clinic.

“Working with registrars has been incredibly rewarding. It’s a two-way learning experience as they bring fresh perspectives and I help them apply that knowledge in general practice. The move into telehealth and virtual supervision added even more depth to that exchange.

“I stepped into the SLO role just over a year ago after being approached by the RACGP’s regional training director in Victoria, someone I’ve known personally for a long time. It’s been an eye-opening experience, giving me a better understanding of the College’s processes and challenges.

“While the transition brought change, I’ve seen a genuine commitment from the College to support supervisors and registrars. They’ve been responsive to feedback - particularly around systems like the TMS - and I’ve enjoyed being part of those improvements."

“At the end of the day, I remain motivated by the chance to shape the future of general practice and to keep learning alongside the next generation of doctors.”

 As you've evolved into the SLO role, are you enjoying it?

“Yes, I’ve been enjoying the role. The hub meetings have been particularly rewarding. I like connecting with supervisors across different areas and seeing the diversity in backgrounds and experiences. Each region has its own flavour, but the core challenges are often the same.

“The role can be intense - some weeks my Wednesdays are packed with back-to-back meetings - but I’ve learned a lot and have been able to help others along the way. Often, it’s just about being visible and approachable; people feel more comfortable reaching out after meeting me in person.

“I’ve gained valuable insights through these meetings and have occasionally helped spark some positive change, which makes it all worthwhile.

 In what ways has or have your past experiences prepared you for the work you're doing now as an SLO? And are there particular skills that you have found have helped you?

“I think a lifetime of working in general practice has prepared me well for this role. Spending every day talking with and listening to people has made me reasonbly comfortable in group settings and confident speaking in front of others - something that definitely didn’t come naturally when I was younger. I used to find the idea of presenting to peers quite daunting, but over time, that’s changed. Now I can walk into a hub meeting with a few slides and use them as a springboard for meaningful discussion and shared learning.

“Skills like communication, empathy, and adaptability have been key. And while I still catch myself needing to hold back in meetings where discussions go in circles, I’ve learned that sometimes the best outcome is simply a workable compromise. It’s all part of the process.”

From your perspective, what does GPSA bring to its members and what's the most compelling reason supervisors should join GPSA?

“GPSA is a group of highly motivated people offering excellent resources to support supervisors in the complex task of training the next generation of GPs. It provides structure, a sounding board, and valuable learning opportunities. Honestly, I don’t know how any supervisor could do the job well without being connected to it in some way.

“One observation I’ve made - echoed in recent hub meetings - is that most supervisors are generally satisfied and feel well-supported. But like in general practice, we often only hear from those who are either highly engaged or unhappy. It’s a bit of observation bias - you don’t hear from the ones who are quietly managing things well. It’s important to remember that when forming a view of how things are going overall.”

For those already involved, how can supervisors make the most of what GPSA has to offer?  And is there any particular resource that you favor or that you recommend?

“I think the key is just exploring GPSA’s resource library regularly. There’s a wealth of material - some of it new, some you might not have thought to look for - and often, I’ve found something that didn’t help me immediately but turned out to be exactly what I needed later on. So I always encourage supervisors to take time to scroll through and see what’s there.

“The teaching plans have probably been the most helpful for me, especially when working with registrars who need more structure. We've had a range - from highly self-directed registrars to those who really benefit from a guided approach. The plans help create a clear learning pathway, especially when tackling core general practice challenges like managing uncertainty or approaching common presentations like chest pain or shortness of breath. They're a practical way to support both the registrar and the supervisor in building confidence and capability.”

What aspect of GPSA’s work do you personally value the most?   

“I like the proactivity. The fact that the things you actually go out and offer -  you communicate what you have on offer - here's a webinar, here’s a new teaching plan.  As a time per poor person. and I try to look at emails and everything as much as I can, but just being notified that this is on offer, is very helpful and the thing that helps me the most on a week-by-week basis.

“When I see GPSA, I pay attention.”

What are the biggest challenges facing supervisors today, especially in relation to the needs of GPSA members?

“One of the biggest challenges is that we’re increasingly time-poor and income-poor. The demands on supervisors keep growing, but the support doesn’t always keep pace.

“There’s also a sense that policymakers aren’t fully engaged with what the role actually involves. 

“Being a supervisor is incredibly rewarding—I get a lot out of it—but the emotional and time investment is significant. Striking a balance and not overcommitting is tough, especially when you have other responsibilities.

“I’m at a stage in life where I can give more time to supervision. But for younger doctors, especially those with families, achieving that work-life balance while taking on a supervisor role can feel pretty daunting.”

What message or piece of advice would you share with supervisors and supervision teams across Australia to encourage or inspire them in their role?

“I’d remind supervisors that there are two key organisations here to support you—GPSA and the College. Don’t hesitate to reach out when you need help or guidance. You’re not on your own. 

“And to those feeling disheartened, I say this to registrars and I genuinely believe it: it’s a great time to be a GP. There are huge opportunities for a rewarding, successful career - financially as well as professionally.

“If you provide quality care and charge fairly, patients will come. Despite the noise about alternate models and workforce changes, people still want to see a GP they trust. I’ve rarely bulk billed in over 35 years and have no trouble staying booked.

“The key is not tying your income to what the government is willing to pay. There’s real potential in general practice if you back yourself and focus on providing good service.”