St George Hospital GP Ambassador
Name: Natalie Sancandi
Hospital: St George Hospital
What do your friends call you?
Nat
How old are you?
25
Where are you from originally – and where did you grow-up/go to school?
Apart from 2 years in Singapore as a child, grew up and went to school in Kingsgrove in Sydney. I completed undergraduate medicine at UNSW graduating in 2009.
Are you from a “medical” background?
No
Do you have brothers and sisters?
One sister, 22 and one brother, 16.
What are you interests/pastimes/hobbies?
Favourite pastimes include sports, especially netball as well as cooking and travelling.
What do you think your best qualities are?
Hard-working, passionate and a good listener.
When/how did you first know or decide you wanted to study medicine?
When I was about 8, I was always the doctor when playing doctors and nurses. However, it wasn’t until the end of high school that I was sure of my decision.
What were the influences that persuaded you to study medicine?
Studying biology in high school, spending time in a GP practice for work experience and watching RPA on TV.
Did anybody in particular influence/persuade you?
My fiancée and family have been very supportive of my decision, but it was my GP who has been particularly influential by providing me with an insight into life as a GP.
How and why did you decide on General Practice?
My interests are broad and varied and although I knew some specialities I didn’t want to do, I couldn’t make up my mind on which ones I would want to do. I had always like the idea of general practice and over time began to really appreciate the variety available. I also liked the idea of the good work/life balance that GP offers and the opportunity to teach which is something else I enjoy.
What makes General Practice so special for you as a specialisation?
The diversity of medicine and that I can dictate what I want to do.
What do you particularly like about General Practice?
Flexible working hours and I can focus on women’s and children’s health which is something I have always had an interest in.
Why did you decide to become a GP Ambassador?
To promote General Practice to interns and residents who are considering PGPPP terms or who have questions about GP as a career.
What do you think you can contribute to the Going Places Network?
Increase awareness and improve the image of General Practice to interns and residents in particular.
What advice would you give to anyone thinking about General Practice as a career move?
Find out as much information as possible and then do a PGPPP term because it gives you a great opportunity to see whether GP is the right choice for you. Also, speak to GP registrars and GPs and ask lots of questions. Combining these things, you will realise the diversity of options available as a GP including full and part-time, rural and urban practice, sub-specialisation and more!
How do you think you can help people with questions about General Practice?
I can talk about my experiences and share my knowledge and refer them to the appropriate resources, as necessary.
Why would you recommend people should join the Going Places Network and be involved in the activities? What do you think the benefits are?
To find out more information about General Practice but also importantly to develop a network of other doctors interested in a similar vocation and be able to share experiences with them. This is what I feel is the greatest benefit.
