The generalists

General practice is a career path that few medical students initially identify as their primary interest, but which many take up post graduation. It is a broad pursuit with the opportunity to see a variety of pathologies and develop strong, continuous interpersonal relationships with patients, and it holds a significant degree of autonomy with respect to one’s career path. Despite this, stigmatisation towards the profession, by colleagues, trainees, and general practitioners (GPs) themselves, is commonplace. Here, Dr Mark Murphy, Dr Emma Wallace, and Dr Ellen Stuart discuss their experiences as GPs, address attitudes towards the profession, and propose ways of encouraging medical students to pursue what is evidently a fulfilling, challenging, and diverse profession.