MB ChB Glasgow 1968; MRCGP 1972.
Gilchrist studied medicine at Glasgow University and held junior positions there at Southern General Hospital and Redlands Hospital for Women. In 1970 Gilchrist began as a trainee general practitioner in Glasgow, coming to Manchester in 1972. Gilchrist was lecturer in general practice at the University of Manchester. Gilchrist later practised in Hertfordshire. He was a member of the Society for Back Pain Research and was honorary treasurer of the Primary Care Rheumatological Society.