Call me naive, but when I was a girl-watching James Bond and devouring Harriet the Spy-all I wanted was to grow up to be a spy. Unlike most kids, I didn't lose my secret-agent aspirations. So as a bright-eyed, idealistic college grad, I sent my resume to the CIA.

Getting in was a story in itself. I peed in more cups than you could imagine, and was nearly condemned as a sexual deviant by the staff psychologist. My roommates were getting freaked out by government investigators lurking around, asking questions about my past.

Finally, the CIA was training me to crash cars into barriers at 60 mph. Jump out of airplanes with cargo attached to my body. Survive interrogation, travel in alias, lose a tail. One thing they didn't teach us was how to date a guy while lying to him about what you do for a living. That I had to figure out for myself.
Then I was posted overseas. And that's when the real fun began.

General Practice has never been an easy occupation. In the past there were some clear structures and routes for new GPs to take. You could expect to join a practice and progress through the ranks, growing in seniority and confidence. You might have been informally mentored by one of the older colleagues; learning management and business skills gradually. It is no longer like this. The market has changed, the range of options is wider, and the way through the labyrinth is far from clear. You might find yourself confused and overwhelmed by all the new opportunities, possibilities and prospects. This book helps to clarify uncertainties and guide you towards the right path. It offers ways to formulate strategies when planning your career and maps out the landscape of general practice, enabling you to make, confident and informed decisions about your professional future. Supporting the initiative of First5(R), The New GP's Handbook is highly recommended for newly qualified GPs who will find it answers so many of their questions and helps make the first five years (and beyond) in general practice more understandable, productive and enjoyable. Experienced GPs too, will find the guide invaluable as a current, general overview. General practice is an exciting and rewarding career which provides a host of opportunities for new GPs entering the profession today. Finding the right job, achieving a good work-life balance and developing a culture of lifelong learning are vital not only for the fulfilment of new GPs themselves but for the future of the profession. This book will help you achieve these objectives. Clare J Taylor, in the Foreword