Umesh Chauhan
Quality Improvement Lead East Lancashire CCG and GP principle.
WHAT WiseGP WORK DO YOU DO?
I am a GP Partner in a deprived area of East Lancashire as well as a Quality Improvement and Cardiovascular Clinical Lead for East Lancashire CCG and Professor in Primary Care at the University of Central Lancashire. I am also a member of the NICE Quality Standards Committee and on the boards for the North West Academic Health Science Network and Academic Research Collaboration.
HOW HAVE YOU DEVELOPED YOUR KNOWLEDGE WORK SKILLS FOR THESE ROLES?
The realisation that research is something that should be an integral part of primary care first dawned whilst I was working in a rural community hospital in South Africa. By chance a group of researchers were looking to undertake a research project in the community and I was able to get involved and help. On my return, I sought advice from my local academic unit at Manchester University (my first encounter with Professors Martin Rowland and Martin Marshall) and was advised to undertake some further training (MRCGP wasn’t enough apparently, MRCP would have been better). I completed a Masters in Health Research at Lancaster University and was then successful in being appointed to the equivalent of the NIHR fellowship scheme to complete a PhD part time at Manchester University. It has been a story of opportunities taken, missed and denied. Along the way I have had opportunities to challenge, stretch and grow with many unsuccessful ideas and quite a few successful projects.
WHY DOES BEING A WiseGP MATTER TO YOU?
I still introduce myself as a GP first as this informs all other roles and more importantly the other roles continue to help me become a better GP. Current circumstances have highlighted the health inequity certain groups face and I value the opportunities I have to be able to speak up for the vulnerable groups in our society and potentially influence policy at a local and national level.
WHAT TIPS DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER WiseGPS?
There is no right way but there are easier paths. Have a good think about the reasons why you want to choose a certain direction of travel as your enthusiasm and passions is what will see you through the difficult times and draw others to your cause. I’ve met some amazing people along the way who have been very generous in sharing their time and ideas and it would be great to be a part of someone else’s story...