Portfolio GP - Vasectomies

Working as a General Practitioner with a Special Interest in Vasectomies 

Vasectomy is a surgical procedure that sterilizes a man by blocking the vas deferens, the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the urethra. It is a permanent form of contraception and is one of the most common surgical procedures performed on men. General practitioners (GPs) with a special interest in vasectomies have additional training and experience in performing this procedure. They can provide patients with information about the procedure, answer their questions, and perform the vasectomy safely and effectively. 

What it takes to become a GP with a special interest in vasectomies

 

There are a number of different ways to get additional training in vasectomies. You can complete a postgraduate diploma or fellowship in vasectomies, or you can undertake a period of supervised training with a vasectomy specialist. You do no need to have a GP qualification to undertake vasectomies under local anaesthesia, there are some doctors learning this straight out of medical school. 

What to expect in your role 

As a GP with a special interest in vasectomies, you can expect to see a wide range of patients, from men who are considering vasectomy for the first time to men who are ready to have the procedure performed. You will need to be able to provide patients with accurate information about the procedure, answer their questions, and address their concerns. You will also need to be able to perform the vasectomy safely and effectively. In addition to your clinical work, you may also be involved in teaching and research. You may teach other GPs how to perform vasectomies, or you may conduct research on vasectomy outcomes. 

The benefits of working as a GP with a special interest in vasectomies 

There are a number of benefits to working as a GP with a special interest in vasectomies. 

These include: 

• The opportunity to provide patients with a safe and effective form of contraception 
• The satisfaction of helping patients to achieve their family planning goals 
• The opportunity to develop expertise in a specific area of medicine 
• The opportunity to teach and mentor other healthcare professionals.
• Portfolio career variety, a break from normal general practice.
• Financial rewards - surgical procedures generally pay more than clinical work

If you are interested in a career as a GP with a special interest in vasectomies, there are a number of things you can do to prepare yourself: 

• Gain as much experience as possible working with patients who are considering or have had vasectomies. This could involve volunteering at a vasectomy clinic or working as a research assistant in a vasectomy research laboratory. 
• Complete a postgraduate diploma or fellowship in vasectomies. 
• Undertake a period of supervised training with a vasectomy specialist. 
• Network with other GPs with a special interest in vasectomies, such as with the Association of Surgeons in Primary Care.
• Keep up to date with the latest developments in vasectomy research and practice. 

Working as a GP with a special interest in vasectomies can be a rewarding and challenging career. It is a great opportunity to provide patients with a safe and effective form of contraception, and to help them to achieve their family planning goals.