Regardless of your level of training, if you are preparing to choose a specialty it is helpful to test your expectations by experiencing it (i.e. if it is not included in your rotations for FP).  You may not have the opportunity to have a 3-4 month rotation in a specialty but you can try to arrange a one to two week taster to experience it.

If you are training in the Northern Foundation School, you will find that each Trust makes different arrangements for taster experiences.  Some Trusts arrange formal tasters that trainees can apply for; whilst others ask that the trainees arrange their own tasters and then seek out approval from the educational supervisor and clinical tutor.  

If you can’t arrange a formal taster, you can arrange a day or more of work experience. Depending on the specialty you would like to experience, try your GP or dentist, contact education centre staff for contacts or ideas, use any additional healthcare contacts or contact a careers adviser or educational supervisor to help you think creatively on how you can get the experience.

A copy of specific information on tasters for each North East trust is here