I had just finished an hour long interview (by Skype) for the podcast. The conversation had gone well, and I was excited by the quality of the content. As usual, I started to upload the recording for editing. Only nothing was happening. Panic started to well in the pit of my stomach, as I pressed buttons and searched for the audio file. But the file wasn’t there. The conversation hadn’t recorded.

I am not a technical person. I don’t have a background in radio or recording. I started the podcast as a platform for great practice, new ways of working and innovation in general practice to be shared. Learning how to use the kit has probably been my steepest curve, but I have learned other things (about GPs, about general practice, about podcasts as a platform for sharing) from the many guests I have had the privilege of interviewing. Here are the 10 most surprising:

1. Very few GPs use Skype. With all the chat about Skype GP consultations this wasn’t a problem I predicted, but I would say over half of the GPs I have spoken to had to set up an account (or ask their teenage children to set up an account for them).
2.  Academics are rarely given a platform to discuss the implications of their research. When academics produce research they become very clear about what it does and doesn’t prove or say. However, here in the real world we are interested about the application of their research to our daily lives. Some academics have loved the opportunity to explore this, but most feel well outside of their comfort zone!
3.  The non-GP general practice workforce doesn’t feel heard. When we talk about general practice most of us immediately think GPs. But there is a whole other “hidden” workforce out there of nurses and other clinical staff, as well as the practice managers and administration teams. These groups do not feel well represented, and the podcasts involving these groups have had tremendous support from their peers.
4. Physician associates can add real value. A year ago when I discussed new clinical roles in general practice with GPs many were quite open to the idea, except for physician associates; the mere mention of whom usually provoked a withering look. However, our occasional podcast series exploring their impact has shown they can add tremendous value to practices.
5. Locums are not all bad. An even less popular group than physician associates are GP locums. Last year we explored why GPs become locums, and the concept of GP locum chambers, and learned in a world where there are not enough GPs we need to find ways to make the most of this critical resource.
6. It is not just GP practices that are independent, it is also those providing support to GP practices. We all know there are c7800 GP practices who contract independently with the NHS. Less well known is that what this in turn leads to is a sporadic and independent group of individuals and small companies that provide support to general practice. You won’t find many commissions for the big four consultancy firms from individual practices!
7. The changes with the biggest impact are not necessarily the most complex. The change that I have seen with the biggest impact is “workflow optimisation” or, alternatively, “keeping the post away from the GPs”. It can save up to an hour of GP time per day.
8. Great editing can perform miracles. Not everyone who comes onto the podcast is a fluent orator. But listening to the podcast you wouldn’t necessarily know it. On the other hand I have finished recording interviews and wondered whether there will be any tape left that we can actually use, once the stumbling and disjointed sentences have been removed. But out of the editing suite come these coherent, intelligible productions that make both me and the guest sound great.
9. Being on the podcast creates opportunities for guests. I am not sure I anticipated how positive an experience being on the podcast could be for those being interviewed. For example, I recently received a note from previous guest Mia Skelly who said, “People’s general feedback has been very complimentary and it’s given me some wonderful opportunities to continue to promote general practice nursing”.
10. The Ben Gowland podcast is not the best name for a general practice podcast. When I came up with the title I thought it sounded good(!), and I have been surprised to learn that 1) the title in no way explains what the podcast is about, and 2) people not knowing what it is about can make it harder to access. As a result, we are going to go for the slightly clearer but less narcissistic title “The General Practice Podcast” from April.

Maybe only some or even none of these things surprise you. But they all surprised me, and I am looking forward to continue being surprised by the second year of the show. Thank you for all your support over the last year, and if there any changes (other than the title!) you think we should be making, please do get in touch.