On visiting this website, given the title, WiseGP, you may be in search of some wise words of wisdom to guide your practice. But at WiseGP we aim to offer something different… not simple ‘guides’ (pathways) but creative challenges to inspire. Our collection of WiseWords isn’t here to give you advice or guidance, but to share the thoughts and reflections of fellow wise GPs on their own practice. The internal ‘mindlines’(1) they use to guide them in their complex everyday work.
Many of our WiseWords may be familiar to you. Their value is not just in reinforcing your professional practice but in prompting deeper reflections on why. Why do we believe this? Where do those ideas come from and why aren’t they reflected in our guidelines for practice… the ‘definitive standards’ that ‘guide’ our practice but don’t’ reflect the realities of the wisdom we use. Why is that – and how do we do something about it?
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You will disagree with some WiseWords. Friction and disharmony are often the most powerful drivers of professional wisdom and practice. So, ask yourself, why do you disagree? What would you say to a GP colleague who expressed this perspective and can you imagine a scenario when you could apply this wisdom?
So, we invite you to explore our WiseWords! Note down areas of resonance and dissonance; discuss them in your professional groups and share your own story in your appraisal, through a publication, or in a letter to key decision makers. As consultants in general practice, we stand up for our patients, communities and profession, by making visible the hidden work (expertise and wisdom) of our everyday practice(2).
How we collated our Wise Words
To collate our WiseWords, WiseGP and the Primary Care Academic CollaboraTive (PACT) shared a survey via our newsletters and social media, inviting GPs to contribute their Wise Words from practice. 85 statements were shared by clinicians from a range of career stages, which we’ve grouped into 6 themes and presented in short videos.
References
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Gabbay J, le May A. (2004). Evidence based guidelines or collectively constructed ‘mindlines’? Ethnographic study of knowledge management in primary care. BMJ. 329(7473):1249–1252.
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Reeve J, Allsopp G, Mulholland M. (2025). Standing up for general practice. BJGP. 75 (750): 4-5.
