NB Hot Topics Podcast Hot Topics Interview: Dr Helen Salisbury, GP & BMJ columnist
Feb 28, 2025
Dr. Helen Salisbury, a GP and BMJ columnist with over 20 years of experience, shares her journey from studying philosophy to practicing medicine. She delves into how general practice has evolved, emphasizing the need for personalized care amidst systemic fragmentation. Helen discusses her transition into medical writing, sparked by a Twitter ad, and highlights the importance of accessible healthcare communication. Lastly, she advocates for a future with more GPs and better patient relationships, emphasizing teamwork in improving the healthcare landscape.
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Career Path
- Dr. Helen Salisbury's career began in philosophy, psychology, and physiology before medicine.
- She transitioned to medicine, initially focusing on neurology, then found her place in general practice after starting a family.
Evolution of General Practice
- General practices have significantly increased in size, shifting from smaller, personalized settings to larger units.
- This shift, while accommodating more patients, can compromise the doctor-patient relationship and continuity of care.
Challenges in General Practice
- Funding limitations in general practice prevent hiring sufficient doctors and providing adequate care.
- The 2004 GP contract and the 2019 additional roles scheme, while intended to alleviate workload, introduced inefficiencies and decreased continuity of care.