08 FYi • Career
KNOWLEDGE
THIRST FOR
An academic career is perfect for doctors with plenty of courage, curiosity and determination
P
USHING the boundaries of knowledge and seeking answers to important questions are all in a day’s work for a clinical academic. This varied fi eld off ers endless opportunities for those interested in research, teaching and management. Whether you have ambitions to be the next
chief medical offi cer, enjoy spending hours in a laboratory or have a burning desire to take part in research projects that have the potential to change the way disease is diagnosed and treated, then a career in academic medicine could be for you. Academic work is usually undertaken in
addition to work in clinical practice, off ering the chance for “the best of both worlds”.
Entry and training The route into an academic career involves considerable commitment and will require more skills than an intercalated BSc can provide. This will likely mean undertaking a higher research degree (MD/PhD) alongside your clinical training.
One popular postgraduate route is via
Academic Foundation Programmes (AFPs) which operate across the UK. These give
foundation doctors the chance to develop skills in research, teaching and leadership/ management in addition to the basic competences outlined in the curriculum. While this is a very useful programme, it is
not the only way of entering the fi eld. There will be other opportunities during your career to develop academic skills and an AFP is not a pre-requisite for securing a research fellowship or other academic post. The UK Foundation Programme Offi ce’s
(UKFPO) Rough Guide to the Academic Foundation Programme off ers a very useful overview. It says there are currently around 450 AFPs available each year across the UK, accounting for just over fi ve per cent of UK foundation programme places. There is great variety between AFPs, with some focusing on traditional academic pathways such as research and teaching, while others focus on areas like leadership and management, quality improvement and even health informatics. All programmes have the same common purpose; they enable foundation doctors to develop their clinical skills whilst simultaneously supporting the development of key skills in other areas of medicine.
Foundation doctors following an AFP have
dedicated time set aside for academic activities, the nature of which will depend on the AFP itself. AFPs vary signifi cantly between foundation schools. Most of the dedicated academic time will be during the second year of foundation training (F2), but some programmes arrange additional activities during F1. Trainees may have a four-month academic placement in F2, day-release throughout the year, or a combination of the two.
The UKFPO strongly advises applicants to
research the AFPs on off er and apply for those that best suit your interests. Most foundation doctors organise a project for their academic placement which forms the main focus of the AFP. The options are varied. Some doctors choose a lab-based project leading to a scientifi c publication while others might opt for a clinical quality improvement project with the aim of improving patient care. The UKFPO highlights a number of desirable qualities in trainees seeking an academic career. Candidates must be able to demonstrate that they understand what the career involves and be competitive and successful with “something on their CV that stands out” such as distinctions, prizes etc. You must demonstrate an interest in your chosen specialty, have a passion for the AFP programme and good clinical abilities as AFP trainees are expected to gain all of the foundation
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