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  • SFP Recruitment
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  • Foundation Placements

Foundation Placements

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SPECIALISED FOUNDATION PLACEMENT (SFP)
Available Programmes

The list below gives potential disciplines available which you should include on your choice form.  Each placement will commence in either August, December or April for four months. 

Centre for Biomedical Sciences 

  • Anatomy - Dr SJ Taylor, Centre for Biomedical Sciences

    Lead Academic:          Dr SJ Taylor, Senior Lecturer (Education)  Research Profile Link

    Prior to starting the placement

    Following successful application you should contact the academic supervisor to discuss your forthcoming placement.  This will help with planning a suitable research project and developing your academic experience.  


    Overall goal of placement:
    The principal aim of this placement is to provide trainees with the opportunity to teach gross anatomy to a range of students e.g. 1st and 2nd year Medical students, undergraduate science students and postgraduate students within a dissecting room environment.  Not only will trainees gain extensive experience in small-group teaching and facilitating cadaveric dissection/review of anatomical specimens within a dynamic teaching environment, but they will also have the opportunity to review core anatomy essential for clinical practice.

    Key learning objectives of placement:

    • Teaching delivery: You will have numerous opportunities to engage with small-group teaching during dissecting room classes.  There will also be the opportunity to plan and deliver clinically-relevant talks – these will be scheduled during dissecting room classes.
    • Assessment: You will gain insight into the processes involved with assessment – specifically, formative assessment, summative assessment and standard-setting.
    • Scholarly activity: As part of the placement, the trainee may opt to undertake a cadaveric-based research project, an educational research project around aspects of student learning and engagement with anatomy, or a project related to the study of anatomy/anatomical examination.  It is anticipated that research undertaken may be presented at national meetings of professional societies.  Trainees will be invited to meetings of the Scholarly Activity and Research Group within the Centre for Biomedical Sciences Education.

    Note:  the above opportunities will only be available during the August – November and December – March placements.  Trainees undertaking this placement during the April – July period may have the opportunity to be involved with some assessments within the MSc in Clinical Anatomy programme, alongside a piece of research.

    Supervision process

    You will be assigned to an academic supervisor for the duration of your placement within the Centre for Biomedical Sciences Education.  Your supervisor will provide you with a strong level of support and will provide you with every opportunity to gain the very best experience from this placement.

    You should arrange regular meetings with your supervisor and complete a meeting feedback form.  It is anticipated that the trainee will meet with their supervisor on a fortnightly basis.

    Clinical component

    There will be no clinical component in this 4 month attachment, although you may be included in an on-call rota.

    Clinical and or Research Centre Seminars

    • Trainees will be invited to meetings of the Scholarly Activity and Research Group within the Centre for Biomedical Sciences Education.

    Teaching Skills with the Centre for Medical Education

    To date, many trainees have gained valuable teaching experience within the Clinical Skills Education Centre (CSEC).    
    Opportunities on offer:

    • Regular teaching sessions in clinical skills – with formal induction and debrief
    • Peer review of teaching
    • OSCE training and potential to examine in an OSCE
    • Certificate for the AFP2 portfolio 

    Teaching sessions on offer

    • Teaching usually occurs on a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoon  - during the academic year
    • There are also other teaching sessions on during the week
    • There are also many other opportunities in teaching in the Centre for Medical Education 
    • To ensure a rich experience we would recommend at least 1 session per week were possible

    Further information on this will be available on these opportunities at induction. 

    Provisional job plan

    Semester 1 and Semester 2 

     

    Monday

    Tuesday

    Wednesday

    Thursday

    Friday

    am

     

    1st Year Medicine

    1st Year Medicine

     

    2nd Year Medicine

    pm

    BSc Human Biology

     

    MSc Clinical Anatomy

    MSc Clinical Anatomy

    MSc Clinical Anatomy

     

    Note:  the above timetable is a guide only and is subject to change

    Note:  Time outside of teaching is to be used for teaching preparation and scholarly activity.

Centre for Dental Education (CDE)

  • Oral Medicine - Dr Amanda Willis

    Lead Academic:          Dr Amanda Willis (a.willis@qub.ac.uk), Research Profile Link  

    Prior to starting the placement

    Oral Medicine is a discipline within dentistry which sits at the interface between dentistry and medicine and is concerned with the diagnosis and non-surgical management of patients with chronic, recurrent, and medically related disorders of the oral and maxillofacial region. Traditionally entry to the specialist list required dual qualification with both the GDC and the GMC. However, that is not now the case, although a significant number of Oral Medicine consultants hold dual registration. It has been estimated that approximately 90 per cent of systemic diseases have oral manifestations – be it mouth ulcers in Crohn’s disease, angular cheilitis in iron deficiency or xerostomia in diabetes.

    Oral medicine is an out-patient specialty for the most part, with clinics involving referrals from primary dental and medical care. However, increasingly referrals are being received from medical specialties in secondary care, including rheumatology, gastroenterology, dermatology, GU medicine, neurology and psychiatry.

    The importance of some dental knowledge by members of the medical profession has been widely acknowledged. Patients with oral complaints frequently consult with their GMP as there first port of call. It is apparent that there is variation in teaching of basic oral anatomy and mucosal conditions to medical students. Without appropriate teaching as medical students, physicians may be otherwise unprepared for patient encounters which involve management of orofacial conditions. Furthermore, a basic knowledge of dentistry by medical practitioners, as much as a basic knowledge of medicine by dentist practitioners, improves communication between the professions and creates a philosophy whereby doctors and dentists work together in the management of a range of orofacial disorders.

    Whether you decide to pursue a career in academic medicine or work in primary care, this rotation will provide an invaluable opportunity to gain an understanding of the specialty of Oral Medicine and an invaluable insight into the diagnosis and management of a range of conditions that can affect the oral cavity, some of which are likely to present to you at some stage in your professional career.

    Following your successful application, you are invited to visit the Oral Medicine Department in the Dental Hospital/School of Dentistry to discuss the placement with Dr Amanda Willis. This will help with planning a suitable project, teaching, and clinical exposure to the specialty of Oral Medicine.

    Generic academic skills

    This rotation will provide you with some insight to the role of a clinical academic. You will have opportunities to undertake an appropriate project, attend relevant dental teaching and also be involved in teaching aspects of medicine in its broadest sense to undergraduate and postgraduate dental students. You will also attend outpatient Oral Medicine Clinics and contribute to the activities of the clinical team. This placement is designed to develop your knowledge, skills and aptitudes for academic medicine. It is hoped that the experience would inspire you to consider undertaking further academic activity during your training and perhaps also to contemplate a career as a clinical academic.

    Academic Component

    The placement will commence with a meeting with your supervisor to agree the educational and research objectives for this academic F2 placement. You will meet with your supervisor every month to discuss any projects you have been involved in and to receive feedback. to receive feedback  This will involve using supervised learning events such as case based discussions, mini clinical examinations, observation of teaching and  procedural skills. You should arrange regular meetings with your supervisor and complete a meeting feedback form. 

    The nature of the post is such that many of the activities can be tailored to your own particular areas of interest.

    Research Skills

    You will undertake a project in a subject area relevant to Oral Medicine. This may be a quality improvement project, a clinical topic, or relate to medical education. There will also be opportunities to undertake literature reviews, scientific writing and critical analysis. You will be strongly encouraged to present your work at an appropriate conference and publication in an appropriate journal.

    Teaching Skills

    You will be able to develop your teaching skills through didactic peer reviewed teaching to undergraduate and postgraduate dental students. There will also be opportunities to teach dental students in small groups basic clinical skills such as history taking and clinical examinations such as lymph node examinations and cranial nerve examinations.  There will also be the opportunity to attend consultant lead teaching with Oral Medicine Registrars every month. 

    Clinical component

    There will be F2 level clinical feedback, appraisal and assessment as documented in the Foundation Programme Curriculum (www.mmc.nhs.uk). You will have particular opportunities to expand your knowledge of management of conditions affecting the oral and maxillofacial region in an out-patient setting which will provide numerous encounters suitable for recording F2 competencies in mini-CEX

    Clinical and or Research Centre Seminars

    You will be expected to attend monthly Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine audit meetings and the quarterly Clinicopathological Conference meetings with Pathology, with the expectation to present at one of these meetings.

    Provisional job plans

    These indicative job plans have been designed to introduce the successful candidate to the specialty and practice of Oral Medicine. There will be individualisation of the attachment for trainee’s dependent on previous research experience and ultimate career wishes. There will be desk space and a personal computer for use in the unit. Training in library and journal access will be provided in addition to the clinical training on the relevant hospital IT systems pertinent to our practice. 

    Example template

     

    Monday

    Tuesday

    Wednesday

    Thursday

    Friday

    a.m.

    Oral Medicine Clinic

    Oral Medicine Clinic

    Oral Medicine Clinic

    Research

    Oral Medicine Clinic

    p.m.

    Oral Medicine Clinic

    Research

    Oral Medicine Clinic

    Oral Medicine Clinic

    Research

Centre for Medical Education

  • Ophthalmology - Dr Michael Williams

    Lead Academic:        Dr Michael A Williams, 1st Floor, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, UK, BT12 6BJ. Tel.: 0044 2890632591 Research Profile Link 

    Prior to starting the placement

    Following successful application, you are invited to visit the Ophthalmology Department at the earliest opportunity to discuss the forthcoming placement with Academic Clinical Supervisors. This will help with planning a suitable research project and academic experience.

    Generic academic skills

    Undertaking an academic F2 placement will offer you insights into clinical academic medicine. This placement is designed to develop your knowledge, skills and aptitudes for academic medicine and to foster interest in a long-term clinical academic career.

    Academic component

    On joining the Ophthalmology Department you will have an initial appraisal meeting to review your learning portfolio and agree the educational objectives for this F2 placement. You will receive feedback during regular supervisory meetings from your supervisor throughout the 4-month attachment with regular assessment to ensure academic competencies are achieved. This will be in the form of hour long weekly meetings with Dr Williams, face to face if COVID related restrictions allow..

    Research skills

    1. A research project will be undertaken in an area relevant to medical education or ophthalmology. If possible, the research project could form the basis of an abstract to be submitted to a national or international meeting.
    2. Research training: With guidance it is envisaged you will be able to complete a number of research project tasks (learn about the research governance issues relevant to clinical academic research; undertake a literature review; interrogate a database; collate results and practise scientific writing; present data in an abstract, as a poster and/or oral presentation).
    3. Mentorship: You will have access to a clinical academic staff member (Dr Williams) who is available to provide longer-term advice and encouragement to help you pursue a career in academic medicine.

    Teaching skills

    You will be expected to spend a half to one day delivering teaching. This will provide excellent experience, opportunities for feedback and learning  - and is highly enjoyable!

     

    1. In Ophthalmology.

    Ophthalmology has active undergraduate and postgraduate educational opportunities.

    - You be encouraged to participate in teaching of QUB 3rd year medical students as they rotate through ophthalmology, in providing a weekly 2-hour face to face tutorial using teaching material already available. Opportunities for direct supervision (‘peer review’) by academic supervisors will allow feedback to improve your teaching confidence and competence.

    - During your clinical sessions, you will be expected to deliver clinical teaching.

    1. In CSEC and InterSIm
    2. Regular teaching sessions in clinical skills
    3. Peer review of teaching
    4. OSCE training and potential to examine in an OSCE
    5. Certificate for the AFP2 portfolio 

    Opportunities on offer during the academic year in CSEC and InterSim include:

    Further information on this will be available on these opportunities at induction. 

     

    Clinical and or Research Centre Seminars

    There is a weekly two hour regional ophthalmology postgraduate class and monthly audit meeting, at which clinical cases and topics are discussed, and often guest speakers give talks. You will be expected to attend this when possible.

    There are also weekly specialty specific teaching sessions, lasting half and hour, on Uveitis and on Glaucoma (as of 2022-23).

    Clinical component

    There will be F2-level clinical feedback, appraisal and assessment as documented in the Foundation Programme Curriculum (www.mmc.nhs.uk). You will have particular opportunities to expand your knowledge of management of acute and chronic ophthalmic diseases in outpatient settings where you will see new and review patients. This will provide numerous encounters suitable for recording F2 competencies in mini-CEX and CBD formats. Tuition will also be provided on appropriate construction of dictated letters to fellow health professional and patients (an important generic skill). There may be opportunities to attend surgical sessions, and you will have responsibilities to cover ward work at times. It will also be expected that you will be preparing for Part 1 of a postgraduate exam diet, such as MRCP, MRCS or MRCOphth during the Academic F2 year.

    Provisional job plans

    Example Template

     

     

    Monday

     

    Tuesday

     

    Wednesday

     

    Thursday

     

    Friday

     

    a.m.

     

    Weekly academic meeting: review of  progress/plans

     

     

    Retinal Vein Occlusion Clinic

     

     

    Project work

     

    Uveitis Clinic

     

     

    Eye Casualty

     p.m.

     

     

     Eye Casualty

     

     

    Project work

     

     

     Project work

     

     General out-patient clinic or ward cover or clinical trials-related work

     

    Postgraduate Class

     

     

  • Clinical Skills - Dr Diane Wilson & Professor Gerry Gormley

    Clinical Skills Education Centre (CSEC) Queen’s University Belfast within the Centre for Medical Education (CME).

    Lead Academic:                 Dr D Wilson (Research Profile Link) and Prof Gerry Gormley (Research Profile Link)

    Prior to starting the placement

    Following successful application you should contact the academic supervisor to discuss your forthcoming placement.  This will help with planning a suitable research / educational project and developing your academic experience.  

    Overall goal of placement: The primary aim of this placement is to develop your understanding of the main principles of effective medical education. This will be provided by both theoretical instruction and practical experience of the medical degree programme at Queen’s University Belfast. There will be a particular focus on clinical skills and simulation. To date we have had a number of AFPs placements in medical education. Overwhelmingly this placement has been viewed as a positive experience by our previous AFPs. We have a track record of AFPs translating their work into scholarly outputs such as conference presentations and publications.

    Key learning objectives of placement:

    • Curriculum design and development: You have the opportunity to gain a greater insight to aspects of curricular design, review and development
    • Teaching delivery: You will have many opportunities to teach medical students both within a small and large group setting. The main focus will be on teaching clinical skills to small groups in the Clinical Skills Education Centre. This can vary during the academic year but will equate to approx. 2-4 sessions per week. You will be given instruction in the qualities of delivering effective education and receive peer review.
    • Assessment and student progress: You will gain an insight into the various assessment methods used in medical education. There will be opportunity to design an OSCE station and receive training to be an accredited OSCE examiner
    • Student support: You will gain some exposure to why some students come in to difficulty during their studies. You will also gain an insight into how they are managed and supported through this time.
    • Scholarly activity: You will have the opportunity to get involved in aspects of scholarly activity in medical education such as presenting at a journal club and involvement in faculty development activities and quality improvement processes.  There is also the possibly of gaining some exposure to medical education research with the potential of contributing to a research project. We would be keen that individuals in this post work towards having an abstract presented at a scientific meeting.
    • Use of technology supporting medical education: You will have the opportunity to gain experience in using various technologies used in delivering medical education (e.g. eLearning, simulation based learning, video feedback analysis)

    Clinical and or Research Centre Seminars

    You will offered the opportunity to attend medical education research training sessions in the Centre for Medical Education (CME). There are also opportunities to attend medical education journal clubs throughout the academic year.

    Experience in Clinical Skills Education Centre (CSEC)

    You will have an opportunity to gain valuable teaching experience in CSEC. 

    Opportunities on offer

    • To date, many AFP2 (associated in research positions) have gained valuable teaching
    • Regular teaching sessions in clinical skills – with formal induction and debrief
    • Peer review of teaching
    • OSCE training and potential to examine in an OSCE
    • Certificate for the AFP2 portfolio
    • experience in CSEC. 

    Teaching sessions on offer 

    • Teaching usually occurs on a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoon  - during the academic year
    • There are also other teaching sessions on during the week

    There are also many other opportunities in teaching in the Centre for Medical Education such as Case based faciltation roles  

    Further information on these opportunities will be provided at induction by Dr Diane Wilson and Prof Gerry Gormley

    Supervision process

    On the first day of your placement you will have an induction and appraisal session with your academic supervisor(s). During this session you will be provided with the key outcomes of your placement and familiarized with your working environment and operational processes. Throughout your placement you will have regular meetings with your supervisor(s) to ensure your academic competencies are being achieved. You will meet with your academic supervisor on a fortnightly basis, and attend  regular informal meetings throughout your time in CSEC. You will also be provided with a series of key academic publications and reading material relating to medical education that you will be expected to read during your attachment.

    Clinical component

    There will be no clinical component in this 4 month attachment, although you may be included in an on-call rota. If desired ‘taster sessions’ in other specialities maybe arranged.

    Provisional job plan

    This job plan has been designed to introduce the successful candidate to the major areas of medical education. The plan will vary from week-week. This is largely dependent on the medical curriculum being delivered during your time in the Centre for Medical Education and the Clinical Skills Education Centre.

     

     

    Monday

    Tuesday

    Wednesday

    Thursday

    Friday

    a.m.

     

    Teaching preparation

     

    Project development

     

    Teaching preparation

     

    Attendance at teaching and assessment meetings

    CPD for Foundation Programme doctors (self-directed and core NIMDTA days)

    p.m.

    Teaching Clinical Skills

    Teaching Clinical Skills

    Private study / CPD

    Teaching Clinical Skills

    Teaching Clinical Skills

  • Clinical Reasoning: Medical Educational Acute Internal Medicine - Dr Michael Trimble

    Lead Academic:                Michael Trimble, Centre for Medical Education, Mulhouse Building, 2nd Floor, Royal Victoria Hospital, Grosvenor Road, Belfast, BT12 6BJ (Research Profile Link)

    Prior to starting the placement

    Following successful application, you are invited to visit the team at Centre for Medical Education and Acute Medicine Unit in the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast at the earliest opportunity to discuss the forthcoming placement with Academic and Clinical Supervisors. This will help with planning a suitable research project and academic experience.

    Generic academic skills

    By undertaking an academic F2 placement you will gain insights into clinical academic medicine through regular interactions with the Academic Clinical Supervisor and other University staff. This placement is designed to develop your knowledge, skills and aptitudes for academic medicine and to foster interest in a long-term clinical academic career

    Academic component

    On joining the team you will have an initial appraisal meeting to review your learning portfolio and agree the educational objectives for this F2 placement. You will receive feedback from your supervisor throughout the 4-month attachment with regular assessment to ensure academic competencies are achieved. The school is currently developing and implementing a new curriculum for undergraduate medicine and you will have the opportunity to be involved in this process.

    Research skills

    A current major area of interest is development of teaching materials in clinical reasoning. The application of clinical reasoning theory to ethical decision-making is also an area of interest. There will be opportunity to pursue a qualitative research project in this area. Evaluation of new curriculum content and materials would be encouraged.

    This attachment will also help you understand the governance issues relevant to clinical academic research; undertake a literature review; interrogate a database; practise scientific writing; presentation of data in an abstract, as a poster and/or oral presentation.

    During your attachment, you will have access to an experienced clinical academic staff member (Michael Trimble) who is available to provide longer term advice and encouragement to help you pursue a career in academic medicine

    Teaching skills

    The Acute Medicine Unit has both undergraduate and postgraduate educational opportunities.

    You will be encouraged to participate in the undergraduate teaching of Internal Medicine to 3rd year medical students (seminar and ward-based clinical teaching). This teaching will be directly observed by your academic supervisor with multiple opportunities for feedback to improve your confidence and competence.

    You will be encouraged to participate in Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) and writing Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ). Instruction in assessment methodology will be provided.

    Formal postgraduate education includes weekly case-based learning, research and clinical governance sessions held in the Acute Medicine Unit.

    Clinical component

    Clinical experience will be in the Acute Medicine Unit in the Royal Victoria Hospital. There will be ample opportunity to review the diagnostic process in action as there is a consultant present in the unit from 0800 to 1900 daily.

    Provisional job plans

     

     

     

    Monday

     

    Tuesday

     

    Wednesday

     

    Thursday

     

    Friday

     

    a.m.

     

    Weekly academic meeting-review of  progress/plans

     

     

     

    Clinical

     

    (Acute Medicine Unit)

     

    Project work

     

     

    Project work

     

    Medical student teaching

    (3rd year) 

     

     

    Unit educational meeting

     

     p.m.

     

     

    Project work

     

     

     

    Clinical

     

    (Acute Medicine Unit)

     

     

     

    Unit x-ray meeting

     

     

     

     

     

    Medical student teaching

    (1st / 2nd  year

     

    Project work

     

     

     

     

     

  • Pediatric Medical Education - Professor Neil Kennedy & Dr Thomas Bourke

    Lead Academic:        Professor Neil Kennedy (Research Profile Link) & Dr Thomas Bourke (t.bourke@qub.ac.uk) (Research Profile Link)

    Prior to starting the placement

    This is a 4 month ‘stand-alone’ academic F2 rotation, as envisaged in the ‘Report of the Academic Careers Sub-committee of MMC and UKCRC’ March 2005.  By undertaking an academic F2 placement you will gain insights into clinical academic paediatric medicine through regular interactions with the Academic Clinical Supervisors, University scientific staff and postgraduate research students.

    The post aims to offer the F2 trainee the opportunity to explore their potential interest in an academic career in paediatric medicine, with an emphasis on clinical medical education. Those considering a career in paediatrics or medical education are encouraged to apply.

    Generic academic skills

    The trainee will gain skills in the following areas:

    • Small and larger group teaching
    • Peer review of teaching
    • Written and clinical assessment of learning
    • Use of high-fidelity simulation equipment
    • Inter-professional education
    • Presentation
    • Academic writing, including submission of an article for peer-review

    Academic component

    The academic emphasis is on clinical education of undergraduate medical students in paediatrics and other aspects of medical education and assessment. This placement will provide the trainee with an opportunity to develop skills in a wide range of teaching, learning and assessment domains. The trainee will be encouraged to develop a scholarly approach to medical education scholarship.

    Research skills

    The trainee will be expected to prepare and submit an article for a peer-reviewed journal such as:

    • Generate a ‘PICO’ question (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome), answer it, and submit the results as an article in an appropriate peer-reviewed journal e.g. Archimedes section of ‘Archives in Disease in Childhood’ or
    • Prepare a ‘Best Practice’ or ‘Epilogue’ article for submission to the Education and Practice section of Archives in Disease in Childhood
    • The trainee will attend the paediatric education journal club, and present a critical appraisal of one article.

    Teaching skills

    During the rotation, the trainee will be expected to:

    • Develop their knowledge of educational theory relevant to medicine. A reading scheme will be provided by their supervisor.
    • Participate in the delivery of clinical skills and large-group teaching in the ‘core teaching’ phase of the 4th year undergraduate paediatric programme
    • Participate in small-group and bedside teaching of 4th year students in RBHSC
    • Participate in inter-professional education of 3rd year nursing and 4th year medical students in RBHSC
    • Create a simulation scenario using ‘Sim-Baby’ high-fidelity equipment.
    • Participate in 2 ‘peer-reviews’ of their teaching and perform peer review of others teaching
    • Complete a structured reflective note about 2 teaching sessions to which they have contributed
    • Attend multiple choice question writing workshop and generate questions for both summative (end-of-4th year and finals) and formative (on-line, practice paper) examinations
    • With their supervisor, develop a new paediatric OSCE station for use in 4th year or final year examinations
    • Undergo OSCE examiner training and help deliver year 3 & 4 OSCE
    • Contribute to other aspects of undergraduate teaching such as Case-based learning as opportunities are available

    Clinical component

    The trainee can negotiate which paediatric clinical attachments complement their learning needs and clinical interests. For example an AF2 mightspend one 1/2day per week working in the Emergency Department at the RBHSC [with full clinical supervision], and one ½ day in the Rapid Response General Paediatric clinic. In addition they will attend 2 clinical meetings per week (RBHSC Tuesday Grand Round, RBHSC weekly handover meeting).

    He / she will be expected to see new and review patients in emergency and outpatient settings. Clinical feedback, appraisal and assessment will be provided according to the Foundation Programme Curriculum.

    Provisional job plans

    Example Template

     

     

    Monday

     

    Tuesday

     

    Wednesday

     

    Thursday

     

    Friday

     

    a.m.

    Meet with supervisor

     

    Teaching preparation

    Journal Club

     

     

     

    RBHSC lunchtime meeting

    Small group teaching/peer review

    Paediatric emergency department RBHSC

     

     

    RBHSC handover meeting

    Assessment preparation

     

     p.m.

    Undergraduate teaching

     

     

     

    Undergraduate teaching

     

     

    SIM Baby session – teaching and development

     

    Rapid response clinic RBHSC

     

    Journal article preparation

     

  • General Practice / Primary Care - Professor Nigel Hart

    Lead Academic:          Prof Nigel Hart  (Research Profile Link)

    Prior to starting the placement

    Following successful application, you should contact the academic supervisor to discuss your forthcoming placement.  This will help with planning a suitable research / educational project and developing your academic experience.  You will be working within the Centre for Public Health (https://www.qub.ac.uk/research-centres/CentreforPublicHealth/About/) in the company of a large variety of nationally- and internationally-recognised clinical experts, epidemiologists, statisticians, biochemists, geneticists and more.

    The overarching mission of the Centre for Public Health is to advance the health of the public at a regional, national and international level, by increasing knowledge and influencing clinical and public health practice and policy.

    Generic academic skills

    The primary aim of this placement is to develop your understanding and skill set for evidence development and implementation in the context of General Practice and Primary Care. This will be provided by the undertaking of a small project working together with a variety of colleagues in the Centre for Public Health. We will encourage you to have a project which, with some preplacement work, and with sufficient hard work, may scholarly outputs e.g. a conference poster and possibly a peer reviewed publication.  

    Academic component

    On joining the Centre for Public Health you will have an initial appraisal meeting to review your learning portfolio and agree the educational objectives for our SFP F2 placement. You will receive feedback from your supervisors throughout the 4-month attachment with regular assessment to ensure academic competencies are achieved.

    Research skills

    1. A research project can be chosen in one of a number of topics relevant to General Practice / Primary Care. These can include areas such as cardiovascular, renal and social epidemiology; health services research; cancer prevention; public health programme evaluation in areas such as screening, health improvement and health protection and communicable disease control. A particular focus will be on the application of implementation science for the translation of research into meaningful patient care outcomes in the context of Primary Care. If possible, the research project could form the basis of an abstract to be submitted to a national meeting
    2. Research training: With guidance, it is envisaged you will be able to complete a number of research project tasks (learn about the research governance issues relevant to clinical academic research; undertake a literature review; interrogate a database; collate and analyse survey data; practise scientific writing; presentation of data in an abstract, as a poster and/or oral presentation). To assist in this we will have you join in with the General Practice Academic Research Training (GPARTs) research training.
    3. Mentorship: You will have access to an experienced member of clinical academic staff (Prof Nigel Hart) and the support of other General Practice / Primary Care Academic and key members of the wider CPH Team.

    Teaching skills

    General Practice / Primary Care has active undergraduate educational contributions in our sister centre of the Centre for Medical Education to which you be welcome to contribute.

    Clinical component

    While there will be no formal clinical component in this 4 month attachment, you may be afforded ‘taster sessions’ in General Practice with Prof Nigel Hart who works clinically in a GP Practice in close proximity to the Centre for Public Health. This will provide numerous encounters suitable for recording F2 competencies in mini-CEX and CBL formats. You will also be given tuition on the fundamentals of good scientific writing. 

    Provisional job plans

    This job plan has been designed to introduce the successful candidate to the major areas of Primary Care.  There will be a dedicated desk and personal computer for use in the unit.  Training in library and journal access will be provided in addition to the familiarization and training you will receive on a variety of regional surveys and databases.

     

     

    Monday

     

    Tuesday

     

    Wednesday

     

    Thursday

     

    Friday

     

    a.m.

    Project

    Work

    Academic Writing

     GP Academic Research Training Meetings

     

    Project

    Work

     Weekly Academic Meeting

     

    p.m.

    Clinical Taster Sessions

     

    Northern Ireland Clinical Research Network

    Primary Care Cluster

     

    Teaching

    experience

    CPD for foundation doctors

    Project

    Work

     

  • Chemical Pathology / Metabolic Medicine - Dr Paul Hamilton

    Lead Academic:          Dr Paul Hamilton (Research profile link) 

    Prior to starting the placement

    Following your successful application, you will be invited to discuss your rotation with Dr Hamilton. Chemical pathology and metabolic medicine are far-reaching disciplines that cut across the traditional organ- and age-specific divides of most medical specialties. Your attachment will be tailored to your particular interests, but could include exposure to any of the following subject areas: general clinical biochemistry, lipids and cardiovascular risk (including genetic lipid disorders), osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease, diabetes mellitus, inherited metabolic disease, disorders of nutrition, and medical education.

    Generic academic skills

    This rotation will give you a taste of a career in clinical academic medicine. You will have opportunities to conduct research, teach and contribute to the activities of the clinical team. It is hoped that the experience would inspire you to consider undertaking further academic activity during your training and perhaps also to contemplate a career as a clinical academic. Regular meetings will take place with your supervisor and feedback will be provided. 

    Academic component

    You will have an early meeting with your supervisor to discuss your educational objectives for the post. The nature of the post is such that many of the activities can be tailored to your own particular areas of interest. You will have regular contact with your supervisor throughout the attachment, and will engage in assessments to ensure that academic competencies are achieved.

    Research skills

    You will undertake a research project in a subject area relevant to chemical pathology / metabolic medicine. This may be focused on a laboratory aspect, a clinical topic, or relate to medical education. It would be anticipated that the research carried out would be written up for presentation at a medical conference +/- publication in a journal.

    You will have the opportunity to undertake training in research methodology that will prepare you for future projects that you might be involved in. Examples include ‘Good Clinical Practice’ training and learning how to undertake a literature review.

    You will access to the local team of consultants in Chemical Pathology and to Dr Hamilton who is a clinical academic staff member who can provide guidance for your future career.

    Teaching skills

    You will be able to develop your teaching skills. It is envisaged that you will be involved in delivering teaching to undergraduate medical students and postgraduate doctors and biomedical scientists. You will be trained in, and develop experience in, facilitating case based learning to first/second year medical students. You will be expected to attend and occasionally present at the fortnightly team educational meeting.

    Clinical component

    The clinical component can also be tailored to your interests. Available opportunities include lipid clinics, osteoporosis clinics, diabetes clinics, inherited metabolic disease clinics, and exposure to disorders of nutrition through inpatient nutrition ward rounds and multidisciplinary team meetings. You will also be exposed to the work of a duty biochemist which includes handling referrals from primary and secondary care. Through these experiences, you will have the opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills in a wide range of areas which will be helpful to you whichever branch of medicine you end up in. You will be expected to record F2 competencies using standard feedback tools. You will develop your skills in medical letter-writing and correspondence with primary care. You will be encouraged to prepare for postgraduate examinations in your chosen discipline.

    Clinical and or Research Centre Seminars

    You will be invited to attend professional development seminars which are run at regular intervals in the Centre for Medical Education, and clinical professional development events in the hospital.

    Teaching Skills with Centre for Medical Education

    To date, many trainees have gained valuable teaching experience in CSEC.    

    Opportunities on offer

    Regular teaching sessions in clinical skills – with formal induction and debrief 

    Peer review of teaching 

    OSCE training and potential to examine in an OSCE 

    Certificate for the AFP2 portfolio  

    Teaching sessions on offer

    Teaching usually occurs on a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoon  - during the academic year 

    There are also other teaching sessions on during the week 

    There are also many other opportunities in teaching in the Centre for Medical Education  

    To ensure a rich experience we would recommend at least 1 session per week were possible 

    Further information on this will be available on these opportunities at induction. 

    Provisional job plan

     

     

     

    Monday

     

    Tuesday

     

    Wednesday

     

    Thursday

     

    Friday

     

     

    a.m.

     

     

    Lipid clinic

     

     

     

     

    Laboratory experience

     

     

     

     

    Project work

     

     

     

     

    Osteoporosis clinic

     

     

    Diabetes clinic

    p.m.

     

     

    Project work

     

     

     

    Project work

     

     

     

     

    Project work

     

     

     

    Project work

     

     

     

     Duty biochemist / Clinic administration

     

  • Medical Education – Research & Practice - Dr Jenny Johnston

    Lead Academic:         Dr Jenny Johnston (Research Profile Link)

    Prior to starting the placement

    This post is designed to give the applicant experience of working as a clinical academic, with a focus on research in medical education. The postholder will join a research community, learn essential generic and subject-specific research skills, and generate either a publication or a conference abstract. Most importantly, they will develop their skills of critical reflexivity in a way which may benefit future academic and clinical development.

    Academic component

    This is a full-time academic post. The postholder will either: join an existing research project; design and undertake a literature review of publication quality; or design, implement and evaluate a quality improvement project in medical education, supervised by Dr Johnston (and/or another member of CME staff). They will join an existing group of postgraduate researchers undertaking both MPhil and PhD projects on a wide variety of topics in medical education. Our group’s underpinning philosophy is to produce research which impacts patient care in a positive way through education. We cover a wide range of projects in undergraduate, postgraduate, university and workplace settings.

    The intention is that this rotation should give a flavour of academic clinical life, with a focus on education research rather than teaching. Postholders will develop transferrable research skills and contacts which may be of use in later applications for PhDs/ ACF/ ACL.

    You should arrange regular meetings with your supervisor and complete a meeting feedback form. 

    Research skills

    Postholders will join a vibrant community of medical education researchers in CME, and will access training in qualitative/ social science methodologies relevant to education, as well learning about academic writing and accessing mentoring with regard to potential future careers in medical education.

     

    Specific research skills postholders are expected to develop:

    • Taking a subject position
    • Quality standards
    • Writing a research question
    • Designing a research or QI protocol
    • Literature searching
    • Choosing relevant methodologies
    • Undertaking relevant methodologies
    • Critical reflexivity

    We will endeavour to address any other specific needs at the postholder’s request!

    Generic academic skills

    • Understand the structure, function and processes of research and of higher degrees
    • Literature searching and critical appraisal
    • Writing for publication
    • Structuring documents
    • Submitting an abstract to a conference
    • Presenting work in front of peers
    • Time management
    • Project management

    Teaching skills

    The postholder will focus on medical education research and pedagogy. However limited direct teaching exposure may be made available for interested individuals (note for the coming year that teaching may be delivered online.)

    Clinical component

    No clinical component to this post. However, postholders will be encouraged to reflect on clinical experiences and plans for the future in the context of research.

    Provisional job plans

    Example Template

     

     

     

    Monday

     

    Tuesday

     

    Wednesday

     

    Thursday

     

    Friday

     

    a.m.

     

     Research

     

    Supervision/ check in

     

     

    Research

     

     

    Research

     

     

    Research

     p.m.

     

     

    Research

     

     

     

    Research

     

    Postgraduate meeting/ research training

     

    Research

     

    Research

     

     

     

  • Health Profession Simulation - Professor Gerry Gormley & Dr Davina Carr

    Clinical Skills Education Centre (CSEC) and InterSim centre, Queen’s University Belfast

    Lead Academics:        Professor Gerry Gormley  (Research Profile link) and Dr Davina Carr (Research Profile Link) 

    Prior to starting the placement

    Following successful application you should contact the academic supervisor to discuss your forthcoming placement.  This will help with planning a suitable research project and developing your academic experience.  

    Overview

    Simulation is an important learning modality in health profession education. In this AFP2 placement – we will offer an exciting opportunity for a foundation programme doctor to gain experience in simulation based education. Located in our state-of-the-art simulation centre (InterSim) we will provide a wide range of experience in simulation practice.  This will range from

    Simulation scenario design

    Simulation scenario delivery to a range of health profession students

    Debriefing

    Experience in advance manikin practice

    Simulated participant methodology

    Highly Immersive Virtual Environment methodologies (HIVE)

    We have a thriving scholarship practice in simulation. The successful AFP2 will have an opportunity to contribute to this community and work towards academic outputs including publication and conference presentation. Most importantly, we will provide hands on experience of contributing to medical student training in a range of simulated activities including medical emergencies, mental health crisis and challenge conversation scenarios. During this placement you will be provided with one-one supervision, induction, peer review of teaching and mentorship.

    Clinical component

    There is no formal clinical component in this attachment. However, the successful candidate can be provided with taster sessions in specialities of their choice. Your supervisor will provide you with a strong level of support and will provide you with every opportunity to gain the very best experience from this placement. You should arrange regular meetings with your supervisor and complete a meeting feedback form. This will take the form of teaching peer review and debriefs following teaching.

    Provisional job plan

    This job plan has been designed to introduce the successful candidate to the major areas of medical education. The plan will vary from week-week. This is largely dependent on the medical curriculum being delivered during your time in the Clinical Skills Education Centre.

     

     

    Monday

    Tuesday

    Wednesday

    Thursday

    Friday

    am

    Scholarship session

    Journal club / training in simulation practice

    Simulation teaching session

    Simulation teaching session

    Scholarship session

    pm

    Clinical taster session

    Simulation teaching session

    Simulation teaching session

    Simulation club with medical students

    Simulation teaching session

  • Haematology - Professor M.F McMullin Joint with CME and CCRCB

    Lead Academic:   Prof M.F McMullin     (Research Profile link)      

    Prior to starting the placement

    Prior to starting project the appointee should meet with Prof McMullin in the regional haematology centre BHSCT to plan a reseach project, clinical experience and teaching. Follow up meetings before the start of project to plan further can then be scheduled

    Generic academic skills

    Undertaking an academic F2 placement you will gain insights into academic medicine through regular interactions with supervisors and other clinical academics, and consultants active in research and education, QUB scientific and educational staff, postgraduate research students and clinical research professionals. This placement is designed to develop your knowledge, skills and aptitudes for academic medicine and to foster interest in a clinical academic career.

    Academic component

    The placement will commence with an appraisal meeting with your supervisor to review your learning portfolio to date and to agree educational and research objectives for the placement. You will receive feedback form your supervisors throughout the 4 month attachment with regular assessment to ensure academic competencies are achieved.

    Research skills

    A research project will be chosen relevant to haematological disease and in line with the ongoing projects in the department. This will be based in the context of translational research studies and or clinical trials The project will be supervised by the clinical academic and clinical scientists. If possible the research project will form the basis of an abstract to be submitted to a national/international meeting.

    Research training: It is envisaged that the appointee will be able to complete a number of research project tasks (learn about ethical, regulatory and NHS governance issues relevant to clinical academic research, undertake a literature review, interrogate a database, collate laboratory results, practice scientific writing, present data in an abstract, as a poster and /or oral presentation). To assist in this we plan for academic F2 doctors to work in clinical areas of Haematology, in the Haematology laboratories in Belfast City Hospital and the laboratories based in the QUB Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology and the N Ireland Cancer Clinical Trials unit. Trainees will assist in the current clinical trials and will receive training in the basics of clinical trial and translational research methodology, ethics and governance.

    Mentorship: The appointee will have access to experienced clinical academic staff in haematology (Prof McMullin) and clinical scientists (Prof Ken Mills, Dr Mark Catherwood). All are available to provide longer term advice and encouragement to help the pursuit of a career in academic medicine.

    Teaching skills

    Haematology has active undergraduate and postgraduate educational opportunities. You will be encouraged to participate in the undergraduate teaching programmes that we run for 3rd and final year medical students (seminars, tutorials lectures clinic and ward based teaching). This teaching will be directly observed by your academic supervisors with multiple opportunities for feedback to improve your confidence and competence.

    Formal postgraduate education includes weekly case and topic based learning and education on the basic, translational and clinical science base in haematology. These sessions take place in the haematology laboratory suite, Centre for Cancer Research and Cell biology and the N I Cancer Clinical trials unit.

    Clinical component

    There will be F2 level clinical feedback, appraisal and assessment as documented in the Foundation Programme Curriculum. You will have particular opportunities to expand your knowledge of management of haematological disease in both the in- and out-patient setting with attendance in wards and at clinics and relevant MDTs. You will be expected to see new and review patients in both clinical trials and standard care in haematology. This will provide numerous opportunities suitable for recording F2 competencies in Mini-CAX and CBL formats. Tuition will also be provided on appropriate communication with fellow health professional and patients including construction of dictated letters (an important generic skill)

    It is expected that you will be preparing for and sitting MRCP part I exam of equivalent during the academic F2 year.

    Provisional job plans

    These indicative job plans have been designed to introduce the successful candidate to the major areas of clinical and academic haematology. There will be individualisation of the attachment for trainees dependent on previous research experience and ultimate career wishes but neither previous research nor a desire to work with patients with haematological disease long-term are mandatory.

    There will be a desk space and computers available for use. Training in library and journal access will be provided in additional to the clinical training on the relevant hospital IT systems pertinent to practice.

    Example Template

     

     

     

    Monday

     

    Tuesday

     

    Wednesday

     

    Thursday

     

    Friday

     

     

    a.m.

     

    Handover meeting

    CCRCB laboratory research meeting

     

    Acute leukaemia clinic

     

     

     

    Laboratory project work

     

     

    Myeloid MDM

    Trials meeting

    Progress meeting

     

     

    p.m.

     

    Myeloproliferative Neoplasms clinic

     

     

     

    Laboratory project work

     

     

    Laboratory project work

     

    Undergraduate teaching

     

    Journal club, Postgraduate haematology teaching

  • Assessment of Medical Education - Dr Kathy Cullen and Dr Vikki O'Neill

    Lead Academic: Dr Kathy Cullen and Dr Vikki O’Neill

    Contact Details: k.cullen@qub.ac.uk (Research Profile Link) Vikki.oneill@qub.ac.uk  (Research Profile Link)

    Clinical Supervisor (if different from Lead academic):        
    Outline of the post

    Prior to starting the placement

    Following successful application, you will be invited to visit the Centre for Medical Education at the earliest opportunity to discuss the forthcoming placement with the Academic Supervisors. This will help with planning a suitable research / educational project and developing your academic experience. 

    The primary aim of this placement is to develop your understanding of the main principles of effective assessment in medical education. This will be achieved through both theoretical instruction and practical involvement in the assessments that take place in the Medical School at Queen’s University Belfast.

    Generic academic skills

    Undertaking a Specialised Foundation Programme (SFP) placement will offer you many insights into academic medicine through regular interactions with both the Academic and Clinical Academic Supervisors and other University staff. This placement is designed to develop your knowledge, skills and aptitudes for academic medicine and to foster interest in a long-term clinical academic career.

    Academic component

    At the start of your placement you will have an initial appraisal meeting to review your learning portfolio and agree the educational objectives. You will receive feedback during regular supervisory meetings from your supervisors throughout the placement with regular reviews to ensure the academic competencies are achieved. You will be involved in exam question writing, standard setting and review as well as ‘road-testing’ of OSCE stations and examiner training.

    Research skills

    The medical school at Queen’s is currently developing and implementing a new curriculum for undergraduate medicine. As part of this new curriculum, the School has introduced Progress Testing as a new means of assessment. Therefore, a current major area of interest is in the development of both resources and research output on this assessment method. A second area of interest is in student feedback. The Medical School recently came first in the UK rankings for Assessment and Feedback and you will have the opportunity to be involved in this process.

    A research project will be undertaken in an area relevant to medical assessment. You will receive guidance on a number of research project tasks, for example: learning about the research governance issues relevant to clinical academic research; undertaking a literature review; analysing data; presenting results; scientific writing; developing a poster and/or oral presentation. It is intended that the research project will be submitted to a national or international meeting, if possible.

    During your placement, you will have access to experienced academic staff members who are available to provide advice and encouragement to help you pursue a career in academic medicine.

    Teaching skills

    You will be encouraged to participate in the teaching given by the Centre for Medical Education. This teaching will be directly observed by your academic supervisor with multiple opportunities for feedback to improve your confidence and competence. Additionally, you will be encouraged to participate in the development of Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) and writing Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ). Instruction in assessment methodology will be provided.

    There will be an opportunity to teach on the Clinical Consolidation programme which is designed to help students who have failed clinical exams or who are struggling.

    Clinical component

    Clinical experience will be in the Respiratory Unit in the Royal Victoria Hospital for at least one day per week. This can be flexible depending on your interests and could include clinic experience, ward cover and practical procedures.

    Provisional job plans

     

     

     

    Monday

     

    Tuesday

     

    Wednesday

     

    Thursday

     

    Friday

     

     

    a.m.

     

    Weekly academic meeting: review of  progress/plans

     

     

    Project Work

     

    Preparing Assessment Materials (MCQs / OSCEs)

     

     

    Clinical work

     

    Preparing Teaching Materials

     

    p.m.

     

     

    Project Work

     

     

    Teaching

     

     

    Attendance at Assessment Meetings

     

    Clinical work

     

    Private study / CPD

The Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research

  • Oncology - Dr R Turkington Oncology placements can also be supervised by: Dr ACole Professor V Coyle and Professor S Jain

    Lead Academic:      Dr Richard Turkington (Research Profile Link)

    An Oncology placement may also be supervised by: Dr Aidan Cole, Professor Vicky Coyle and Professor Suneil Jain

    Prior to starting the placement

    Following successful application, you are invited to visit the N. Ireland Cancer Centre to discuss the placement with your Academic Clinical Supervisors. This will help with planning a suitable research project and academic exposure. 

    Supervision

    You should arrange regular meetings with your supervisor throughout your placement and complete a meeting feedback form.  Meetings should occur face to face and weekly at the relevant supervisor’s office. 

    Generic academic skills

    By undertaking an academic F2 placement, you will gain insights into clinical academic medicine through regular interactions with your supervisors, other clinical academics, consultants active in research and education, QUB scientific and educational staff, postgraduate research students and clinical research professionals. This placement is designed to develop your knowledge, skills and aptitudes for academic medicine and to foster interest in a long-term clinical academic career in any discipline. 

    Academic component

    The placement will commence with an appraisal meeting with your main supervisors to review your learning portfolio to date and to agree the educational and research objectives for this academic F2 placement. You will receive feedback from your supervisors throughout the 4-month attachment with regular assessment to ensure academic competencies are achieved.

    Research skills

    A research project can be chosen in one of a number of topics relevant to solid tumours. This will be based in the context of one or more clinical trials or translational research studies.  The project will be supervised by one or two experienced clinical academics.  If possible, the research project could form the basis of an abstract to be submitted to a national meeting.Research training: It is envisaged you will be able to complete a number of research project tasks (learn about the ethical, regulatory and NHS governance issues relevant to clinical academic research; undertake a literature review; interrogate a database; collate laboratory results; practise scientific writing; present data in an abstract, as a poster and/or oral presentation). To assist in this we have planned for academic F2 doctors to work in all the clinical areas for Medical and Clinical Oncology, in the laboratories based close by in the QUB Centre for Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research and in the N. Ireland Cancer Clinical Trials Network. Trainees will assist in current clinical trials and will receive training in the basics of clinical trial and translational research methodology, ethics and governance.Mentorship: You will have access to experienced clinical academic staff in oncology (Professor Joe O’Sullivan, Dr Seamus McAleer, Dr Richard Turkington, Prof Vicky Coyle and Prof  Suneil Jain). All are available to provide longer-term advice and encouragement to help you pursue a career in academic medicine.

    Teaching skills

    Oncology has active undergraduate and postgraduate educational opportunities.

    You will be encouraged to participate in the undergraduate teaching programmes that we run for 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th year medical students (seminars, tutorials, lectures, clinic and ward based teaching). This teaching will be directly observed by your academic supervisors with multiple opportunities for feedback to improve both your confidence and competence.Formal postgraduate education includes weekly case and topic based learning, and education on the basic, translational and clinical science base in malignant disease. These  sessions will be held in the 4 wards and radiotherapy facilities in the Cancer Centre, Bridgewater Suite and the Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research and the N. Ireland Cancer Clinical Trials Network.

    Teaching Skills with Centre for Medical Education

    To date, many trainees have gained valuable teaching experience in CSEC.    

    Opportunities on offer

    Regular teaching sessions in clinical skills – with formal induction and debrief. Peer review of teaching.  OSCE training and potential to examine in an OSCE.  Certificate for the SFP portfolio 

    Teaching sessions on offer

    Teaching usually occurs on a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoon  - during the academic year.  There are also other teaching sessions on during the week.  There are also many other opportunities in teaching in the Centre for Medical Education.  To ensure a rich experience we would recommend at least 1 session per week were possible

    Further information on this will be available on these opportunities at induction. 

    Clinical component

    There will be F2 level clinical feedback, appraisal and assessment as documented in the Foundation Programme Curriculum (www.mmc.nhs.uk). You will have particular opportunities to expand your knowledge of management of malignant diseases in both the in- and out-patient setting with attendance in wards and at clinics where you will be expected to see new and review patients in both clinical trials and standard care in oncology. This will provide numerous encounters suitable for recording F2 competencies in mini-CEX and CBL formats. Tuition will also be provided on appropriate communication with fellow health professionals and patients including construction of dictated letters (an important generic skill). It will also be expected that you will be preparing for and sitting the Part 1 MRCP exam or equivalent during the Academic F2 year.

    Clinical and or Research Centre Seminars 

    Seminars at the Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research occur at Thursday lunchtime and students will be expected to attend. These seminars are led by invited speakers and cover a broad range of research topics. The NI Cancer Centre Grand Rounds is held on Friday mornings and has a more clinical focus. Students are expected to attend either in person or virtually.

    Provisional job plans

    These indicative job plans have been designed to introduce the successful candidate to major areas of clinical and academic aspects in non-surgical oncology using systemic therapies and radiotherapy. There will be individualisation of the attachment for trainees dependent on previous research experience and ultimate career wishes, but neither previous research nor a desire to work with patients with malignant disease long-term are mandatory. Training in library and journal access will be provided in addition to the clinical training on the relevant hospital IT systems pertinent to our practice.

      Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
    a.m.

    PGJCCR
    Research

    Chemotherapy Clinic Clinical Education PGJCCR Research

    Multidisciplinary Meeting

    p.m. PGJCCR
    Research
    PGJCCR
    Research
    PGJCCR
    Research

    New Patient Clinic

    PGJCCR

    research
  • Breast Surgery - Mr Stuart McIntosh

    Lead Academic:        Mr Stuart McIntosh  (Research Profile link)  

    Prior to starting the placement

    This placement will provide an excellent opportunity to gain experience in academic surgical oncology, with particular emphasis on the field of breast cancer.

    Following successful application, you are invited to visit the Breast Surgery Unit and the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology at the earliest opportunity to discuss the forthcoming placement with Academic Clinical Supervisors. This will help with planning a suitable research project and developing your academic experience.

    Generic academic skills

    By undertaking an academic F2 placement you will gain insights into clinical academic surgery through regular interactions with the Academic Clinical Supervisors, University scientific staff and postgraduate research students. This placement is designed to develop your knowledge, skills and aptitudes in academic surgery and to foster interest in a long-term career as a clinical academic.

    During the 4-month placement

    Academic component

    On joining the Breast Surgery Unit, there will be an initial appraisal to review your learning portfolio and agree the educational objectives for this F2 placement. You will receive feedback from your supervisor throughout the four month attachment, with regular assessment to ensure that academic competencies are being achieved.

    Research skills

    1. A research project can be chosen in one of a number of topics relevant to breast surgery. These may include areas such as the genetics of breast cancer and the management of high-risk women, the pre-surgical treatment of breast cancer, or outcomes of breast reconstruction surgery. It is envisaged that the research project should form the basis of a presentation to a national or international meeting.
    2. Research training: with guidance it is expected that you will develop the competencies to complete a number of research project tasks (for example: learn about the research governance processes relevant to clinical research in surgical oncology; undertake a literature review; interrogate a database; collate data; practice scientific writing; develop presentation skills by presenting data in an abstract, as a poster and/or as an oral presentation).
    3. Mentorship: you will have access to experienced clinical academic staff who will be available to provide longer-term advice and encouragement to help you to pursue a career in academic surgery.

    Teaching skills

    In both breast and general surgery there are both undergraduate and postgraduate training opportunities.

    1. You will be encouraged to participate in the undergraduate teaching of breast surgery to third year medical students (both small-group and out-patient and theatre-based clinical teaching). This teaching will be directly observed by your academic supervisor, with multiple opportunities for feedback to improve your confidence and competence.
    2. Formal postgraduate education will include weekly multidisciplinary team meetings, audit and educational meetings held within the breast unit, and the opportunity to attend relevant seminars within the CCRCB Seminar Series.

    Clinical component

    There will be F2 level clinical feedback, appraisal and assessment, as documented in the Foundation Programme Curriculum (www.mmc.nhs.uk).  You will have particular opportunities to expand your knowledge of the diagnosis and investigation of breast symptoms, at a weekly one-stop diagnostic breast clinic, where you will be expected to see and assess new patients under supervision. This will provide numerous encounters suitable for recording F2 competencies in mini-CEX and CBD formats. Similarly, the breast reconstruction clinic will provide experience in a technically demanding area of surgical oncology, and again will provide excellent opportunities for workplace-based assessments. Attendance at a weekly operating list will also be a part of the job plan, which will allow insight into the surgical management of breast cancer, as well as the opportunity to develop basic surgical skills including tissue handling and suturing.

    Provisional job plan

    This job plan has been developed to allow the successful candidate to gain experience and exposure in all the major aspects of breast surgical oncology.

     

     

    Monday

     

    Tuesday

     

    Wednesday

     

    Thursday

     

    Friday

    a.m.

     

    Weekly academic meeting – review of progress/plans (Mr McIntosh)

     

     

    Medical student teaching

     

    Project work

     

    Lab group meeting

    Theatre list

    p.m.

    Project work

     

    Project work

     

    Project work

     

     

    CPD for foundation doctors/Out-patient clinic

     

     

    Multidisciplinary meeting

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

Centre for Public Health (CPH)

  • Nutrition - Professor Jayne Woodside

    Lead Academic:          Dr Jayne Woodside (Research Profile Link)

    Prior to starting the placement

    Following a successful application, you should contact the academic supervisor to discuss your forthcoming placement.  This will help with planning a suitable research project and developing your academic experience.  An interest in diet and health research and awareness of potential for nutritional intake to be associated with health outcomes.

    Generic academic skills

    Nutrition research methods; literature searching; scientific writing; statistical analysis.

    Supervision process

    Your supervisor will provide you with a strong level of support and will provide you with every opportunity to gain the very best experience from this placement.  You should arrange regular meetings with your supervisor and complete a meeting feedback form, including key action points, after each meeting. 

    Academic component

    This rotation will be based around analysis of previously conducted data collection surrounding iodine and health outcomes, iodine status, and the determinants of iodine status within surveys already conducted by previous clinical research fellows during pregnancy, in schoolgirls, and using routinely collected clinical data.   The applicant will work with Dr Karen Mullan, Consultant Endocrinologist and Professor Jayne Woodside, Professor of Human Nutrition, who have worked together on iodine research over the last ten years (see recent review link below).  Development of the research question according to the specific interests of the applicant will be possible.

    Woodside JV, Mullan KR. Iodine status in UK-An accidental public health triumph gone sour. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2021 Apr;94(4):692-699.

    Research skills

    Nutrition and epidemiological research methods; statistical analysis; literature searching; scientific writing; critical analysis.

    Clinical and or Research Centre Seminars

    CPH has regular seminars which those on placement will be encouraged to attend.  The nutrition group within CPH also have monthly meetings throughout the academic year, while the Regional Centre for Endocrinology and Diabetes also hold regular research and clinical update meetings.

    Teaching Skills with Centre for Medical Education

    To date, many trainees have gained valuable teaching experience in CSEC.    

    Opportunities on offer

    • Regular teaching sessions in clinical skills – with formal induction and debrief
    • Peer review of teaching
    • OSCE training and potential to examine in an OSCE
    • Certificate for the AFP2 portfolio 

     Teaching sessions on offer

    • Teaching usually occurs on a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoon  - during the academic year
    • There are also other teaching sessions on during the week
    • There are also many other opportunities in teaching in the Centre for Medical Education 
    • To ensure a rich experience we would recommend at least 1 session per week were possible

    Further information on this will be available on these opportunities at induction. 

    Clinical component

    The project has close links with the Regional Centre for Endocrinology and Diabetes.

    Provisional job plans

    Example Template (1-2 clinical sessions per week likely within Endocrinology and Diabetes)

     

     

     

    Monday

    Tuesday

    Wednesday

     Thursday

     

    Friday

     

    a.m.

    Research

     

    Clinical

     

     

     Research

     

     

    Research

     

    Clinical

    p.m.

     

    Research

     

     

    Research

     

    Research

    Research

    Research

     

     

     

  • Public Health - Professor Frank Kee

    Lead Academics:   Professor F Kee (Research Profile Link)

    Prior to starting the placement

    Following successful application, you are invited to visit the Centre for Public Health to discuss the forthcoming placement with Academic Clinical Supervisors. This will help with planning a suitable research project and academic exposure.

    Generic academic skills

    By undertaking an academic F2 placement you will gain insights into academic public health through regular interactions with the Academic Clinical Supervisors, University scientific staff and postgraduate research students. This placement is designed to develop your knowledge, skills and aptitudes for academic public health and to foster interest in a long-term clinical academic career.

    During the 4 month placement

    Academic component

    On joining the Centre for Public Health, you will have an initial appraisal meeting to review your learning portfolio and agree the educational objectives for this F2 placement. You will receive feedback from your supervisor throughout the 4-month attachment with regular assessment to ensure academic competencies are achieved.

    Research skills

    1. A research project can be chosen in one of a number of topics relevant to public health. These include areas such as cardiovascular, renal and social epidemiology; health services research; cancer prevention; public health programme evaluation in areas such as screening, health improvement and health protection and communicable disease control. If possible, the research project could form the basis of an abstract to be submitted to a national meeting
    2. Research training: With guidance, it is envisaged you will be able to complete a number of research project tasks (learn about the research governance issues relevant to clinical academic research; undertake a literature review; interrogate a database; collate and analyse survey data; practise scientific writing; presentation of data in an abstract, as a poster and/or oral presentation). To assist in this we have planned for academic F2 doctors to visit the various divisions of the Public Health Agency and a variety of statutory and non statutory bodies with which it works.
    3. Mentorship: You will have access to experienced clinical academic staff (Professor Kee) and the support of key trainers and their staff in the Public Health Agency, who are available to provide longer term advice and encouragement to help you pursue a career in academic public health.

    Teaching skills

    Public Health has active undergraduate and postgraduate educational opportunities.

    1. You will be encouraged to participate in the undergraduate teaching of epidemiology and public health to 2nd year medical students (seminar and class-based teaching). This teaching will be directly observed by your academic supervisors with multiple opportunities for feedback to improve your confidence and competence.
    2. Formal postgraduate education includes weekly case-based learning, research seminars and journal clubs held in the Centre for Public Health as well as governance and audit sessions in the Public Health Agency.

    Clinical Component

    There will be F2-level clinical feedback, appraisal and assessment as documented in the Foundation Programme Curriculum (www.mmc.nhs.uk). You will have particular opportunities to expand your knowledge of a variety of disciplines that work in partnership in public health (including epidemiology, statistics, health economics, social sciences) and a population approach to disease control and health improvement in communities. This will provide numerous encounters suitable for recording F2 competencies in mini-CEX and CBL formats. You will also be given tuition on the fundamentals of good scientific writing. It will also be expected that you will be preparing for and sitting the Part 1 MRCP exam or equivalent during the Academic F2 year.

    Provisional job plan

    This job plan has been designed to introduce the successful candidate to the major areas of public health practice.  There will be a dedicated desk and personal computer for use in the unit.  Training in library and journal access will be provided in addition to the familiarization and training you will receive on a variety of regional surveys and databases.

     

     

    Monday

     

    Tuesday

     

    Wednesday

     

    Thursday

     

    Friday

    a.m.

     

    Weekly academic meeting-review of  progress/plans

     

     

    Health Improvement /PHA

     

    Teaching experience

     

    Screening and Service Improvement/PHA

    Project work:

     

    Literature review and writing

    p.m.

     

    Health Protection/PHA

     

    Project work

     

    Research meeting

     

    (Prof. Kee)

     

    CPD for foundation doctors

     

    lecture program

     

  • Ophthalmology - Professor A Azuara-Blanco

    Lead Academic:          Professor Augusto Azuara-Blanco (a.azuara-blanco@qub.ac.uk) (Research Profile Link)

    Prior to starting the placement

    Following successful application, you are invited to visit the Ophthalmology Department and Centre for Public Health (CPH) to discuss the forthcoming placement with Academic Clinical Supervisors. This will help with planning a suitable research project and academic exposure.

    Generic academic skills

    By undertaking an academic F2 placement you will gain insights into clinical academic medicine through regular interactions with the Academic Clinical Supervisors, University scientific staff and postgraduate research students. This placement is designed to develop your knowledge, skills and aptitudes for academic medicine and to foster interest in a long-term clinical academic career.

    During the 4 month placement

    Academic component

    On joining CPH you will have an initial appraisal meeting to review your learning portfolio and agree the educational objectives for this F2 placement. You will receive feedback from your supervisor throughout the 4-month attachment with regular assessment to ensure academic competencies are achieved.

    Research skills

    A research project can be chosen in one of a number of topics relevant to Ophthalmology in which the Centre for Public Health including diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, retinal vein obstruction, glaucoma, cornea, inherited retinal diseases, and low vision.  There is academic expertise in the following areas:

    Experimental models

    Epidemiology

    Genetics

    Evidence synthesis

    Diagnostic technologies

    Global Eye Health

    Medical education

    Clinical trials

    If possible, the research project could form the basis of an abstract to be submitted to a national meeting or a publication.

    Research training: With guidance it is envisaged you will be able to complete a number of research project tasks (learn about the research governance issues relevant to clinical academic research; undertake a literature review; interrogate a database; collate biochemical and/or genetic results; practise scientific writing; presentation of data in an abstract, as a poster and/or oral presentation). To assist in this we have planned for academic F2 doctors to visit the associated laboratories and research areas with links to Ophthalmology.  If interested there is also the possibility of undertaking research in medical education. 

    Mentorship:  Professor Azuara-Blanco will be the first contact during the F2.  You will have access to experienced clinical academic staff (Prof Tunde Peto, Professor Augusto-Azuara Blanco, Professor Noemi Lois, Prof. Nathan Congdon, Professor Gianni Virgili, Dr Michael Williams, Dr. Ruth Hogg), and clinicians with active research portfolios, Miss Giuliana Silvestri and Professor Jonathan Jackson..  Senior scientific staff (Prof A Stitt, Prof Heping Xu, Dr David Simpson, Dr Tim Curtis, and Dr Denise McDonald) are also available to provide advice and encouragement to help you pursue a career in academic medicine.

    Teaching skills

    Ophthalmology has active undergraduate and postgraduate educational opportunities.

    You will be encouraged to participate in the undergraduate teaching of Ophthalmology to 3rd year medical students both in the core curriculum and SSC programme – depending on the time of year (seminar and outpatient clinical teaching). This teaching will be directly observed by your academic supervisors with multiple opportunities for feedback to improve your confidence and competence.

    Formal postgraduate education includes weekly postgraduate class which includes case based learning and guest speaker (on Fridays p.m.) and weekly Journal clubs (on Tuesdays). 

     

    Clinical component

    There will be F2-level clinical feedback, appraisal and assessment as documented in the Foundation Programme Curriculum (www.mmc.nhs.uk). You will have particular opportunities to expand your knowledge of management of diseases in an outpatient setting, eye casualty, inpatient management and observation in theatre. This will provide numerous encounters suitable for recording F2 competencies in mini-CEX and CBL formats. Tuition will also be provided on appropriate construction of dictated letters to fellow health professional and patients (an important generic skill).

    Provisional job plan

    This job plan has been designed to introduce the successful candidate to major areas of clinical and academic Ophthalmology, but could be adapted to the interest of the candidate.  The clinical components of the attachment will be tailored to reflect the needs of the project which you choose to undertake. There will be a communal computer for use in the unit’s resident’s room. Training in library and journal access will be provided in addition to the clinical training on the relevant hospital IT systems pertinent to ophthalmology practice.

     

     

    Monday

     

    Tuesday

     

    Wednesday

     

    Thursday

     

    Friday

    a.m.

     

    Weekly academic meeting-review of  progress/plans

    (Project supervisor)

    ___________

     

     

    Outpatient Clinic _________

    12.45pm Journal Club OPH

     

    Outpatient Clinic

     

    Project work

     

     

     

     

    Project work:

     

    Literature review and writing

    p.m.

     

    Outpatient Clinic

     

    Project work

     

    Eye Casualty

     

    Project Work/ F2 Training – NIMDTA/Trust

     

     

    Postgraduate Class

     

  • Psychiatry - Dr Tony O'Neill

    Lead Academic:        Dr F A O’Neill (Research Profile Link) 

    Prior to starting the placement

    Following successful application, you are invited Dept. of Psychiatry/ Centre for Public Health to discuss clinical and research opportunities. This will help with planning a suitable research project and academic exposure.

    Generic academic skills

    By undertaking an academic F2 placement you will gain insights into clinical academic medicine through regular interactions with the Academic Clinical Supervisors, University scientific staff and postgraduate research students. This placement is designed to develop your knowledge, skills and aptitudes for academic medicine and to foster interest in a long-term clinical academic career.

    During the 4 month placement

    Academic component

    On joining the Dept. of Psychiatry you will have an initial appraisal meeting to review your learning portfolio and agree the educational objectives for this F2 placement. You will receive feedback from your supervisor throughout the 4-month attachment with regular assessment to ensure academic competencies are achieved.

    Research skills

    1. A research project can be chosen in one of a number of topics relevant to Psychiatry/Mental Health.
    2. These include areas such as epidemiology of schizophrenia and substance misuse, molecular genetics of schizophrenia.
    3. If possible, the research project could form the basis of an abstract to be submitted to a national meeting
    4. Research training: With guidance it is envisaged you will be able to complete a number of research project tasks (learn about the research governance issues relevant to clinical academic research; undertake a literature review; interrogate a database; collate biochemical and/or genetic results; practise scientific writing; presentation of data in an abstract, as a poster and/or oral presentation).
    5. To assist in this we have planned for academic F2 doctors to visit the associated laboratories and research areas with links (specifically molecular genetics, and epidemiology). There would also be the opportunity to work with psychology and sociology within Queens depending on research project.
    6.  There will also be the option for you to collaborate with some of our partners nationally and internationally, such as Virginia Commonwealth University and the Institute of Psychiatry in London.
    7. Mentorship: You will have access to experienced clinical academic staff (Dr O’Neill, Dr Mulholland) who are available to provide longer term advice and encouragement to help you pursue a career in academic medicine
    8. We would also expect you to engage with the wider psychiatric community within Northern Ireland.

    Teaching skills

    Psychiatry has active undergraduate and postgraduate educational opportunities.

    1. You will be encouraged to participate in the undergraduate teaching of fourth year medical students (seminar and ward-based clinical teaching). This teaching will be directly observed by your academic supervisors with multiple opportunities for feedback to improve your confidence and competence.
    2. Formal postgraduate education includes weekly case-based learning, research and clinical governance sessions held in the Belfast Trust Academic Meeting.

    Clinical component

    There will be F2-level clinical feedback, appraisal and assessment as documented in the Foundation Programme Curriculum (www.mmc.nhs.uk). You will have particular opportunities to expand your knowledge of management of chronic diseases in an outpatient setting with attendance at a weekly teaching clinic where you will be expected to see new patients and some review patients.

    This will provide numerous encounters suitable for recording F2 competencies in mini-CEX and CBL formats. Tuition will also be provided on appropriate construction of dictated letters to fellow health professional and patients (an important generic skill). You will be invited to enrol in the Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health at QUB. 

    Provisional job plan

    This job plan has been designed to introduce the successful candidate to major areas of clinical and academic psychiatry.

    There will be a dedicated desk and personal computer for use in the unit and appropriate secretarial support. There will be opportunities for remote working.

    Training in library and journal access will be provided in addition to the clinical training on the relevant hospital IT systems pertinent to psychiatry practice.

     

    Monday

    Tuesday

    Wednesday

    Thursday

    Friday

    AM

    Research project work

    Research

    Project

    Research project work

    Teaching

    Supervision

     

    Trust

    Academic

    Meeting

     

    Research

    Project

    PM

    Working with resettlement tea m

     

    community visits

    DMH

    teaching

    CPD for foundation doctors

     

    Reading

  • Ageing / Elderly Care Medicine / Psychiatry of Old Age - Professor AP Passmore/ Professor Bernadette McGuinness/ Dr Emma Cunningham/ Dr Joseph Kane

    Lead Academics:   Professor AP Passmore  (Research Profile Link) / Professor Bernadette McGuinness   (Research Profile Link) / Dr Emma Cunningham  (Research Profile Link) / Dr Joseph Kane (Research Profile Link) 

      Prior to starting the placement

    Following successful application, you are invited to visit the Ageing Group, which is comprised of Clinical Academics specialising in Geriatric Medicine and Psychiatry of Old Age and discuss your interests and aims for your placement. This will help with planning a suitable research project, clinical role, and academic exposure. You will agree on a set of academic objectives for your placement.

    Generic academic skills

    By undertaking an academic F2 placement you will gain insights into clinical academic medicine through regular interactions with the Academic Clinical Supervisors, University scientific staff and postgraduate research students. This placement is designed to develop your knowledge, skills and aptitudes for academic medicine and to foster interest in a long-term clinical academic career.

    Academic component

    On joining the Group you will have an initial appraisal meeting to review your learning portfolio and agree the educational objectives for this F2 placement. You will receive feedback from your supervisor throughout the 4-month attachment with regular assessment to ensure academic competencies are achieved. You are encouraged to enrol for the Certificate/Diploma in Academic Medicine although this is not compulsory.

    Research skills

    A research project can be chosen in one of a number of topics relevant to ageing. These include areas such as cognitive assessment in mild cognitive impairment and dementia, the role of risk factors in dementia and the prevention of dementia. If possible, the research project could form the basis of an abstract to be submitted to a national meeting.

    Research training: With guidance it is envisaged you will be able to complete a number of research project tasks (learn about the research governance and ethical issues relevant to clinical academic research; learn about ICH/GCP; learning about capacity and consent in people with cognitive disorders; undertake a literature review; interrogate a database; collate biochemical and/or genetic results; practise scientific writing; presentation of data in an abstract, as a poster and/or oral presentation). To assist in this we have planned for academic F2 doctors to get involved with current research projects e.g. cognitive testing in NICOLA, role of inflammation in mild cognitive impairment and dementia, use of EEG as a biomarker of dementia, role of delirium in predicting subsequent dementia. There will also be the opportunity to avail of training in the use of clinical research assessment tools. This could take place in the setting of a research project and will include training in the use of  a range of clinical research scales eg cognition, depression, neuropsychiatric symptoms, activities of daily living and disease staging scales.

    Mentorship: Professor Passmore, Professor McGuinness, Dr Cunningham and Dr Kane will be available to provide longer term advice and encouragement to help you pursue a career in academic medicine.

    Teaching skills

    Geriatric medicine and Psychiatry of Old Age has active undergraduate and postgraduate educational opportunities.

    1. You will be encouraged to participate in the undergraduate teaching programme in year 4 and year 5 (seminar and ward-based clinical teaching). This teaching will be directly observed by your academic supervisors with multiple opportunities for feedback to improve your confidence and competence.
    2. You will have opportunities to participate in the teaching of Student Selected Component (SSC), such as “Movies, Myths and Mental Illness”.
    3. Formal postgraduate education includes weekly case-based learning, research and clinical governance sessions held in the University Department and Elderly Care Unit.

    You will be encouraged to participate in Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) and writing Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ). Instruction in assessment methodology will be provided.

    Clinical component

    A clinical component may be included as part of the learning about the use of assessment tools in clinical practice. There will be F2-level feedback, appraisal and assessment as documented in the Foundation Programme Curriculum (www.mmc.nhs.uk).  It will also be expected that you will be preparing for and sitting the Part 1 MRCP exam, MRCPsych Paper A, or equivalent during the Academic F2 year.

    Clinical and/or Research Centre Seminars - There are monthly research seminars held by the Ageing Research Group within CPH, monthly NICOLA research dissemination meetings, regional neuroimaging meetings, and monthly QUB Neuroscience meetings that you will be welcome to attend.

    Provisional job plans

    There is flexibility within the schedule below to accommodate your interests and learning objectives. The schedule could also be modified to accommodate Less Than Full Time (LTFT) training and trainees that wish to work remotely. There will be a dedicated desk and personal computer for use in the unit. Training in library and journal access will be provided. 

     

     

    Monday

     

    Tuesday

     

    Wednesday

     

    Thursday

     

    Friday

     

    a.m.

     

    Weekly academic meeting - review of  progress/plans

     

     

    NICRN  Dementia/ Clinical Trials experience.

     

     

    Audit work.

    Seminar

     

    Project work.

     

    Project work:

     

    Literature Review and writing

    pm

    Project work

    Teaching

    Clinical experience

    Project work

    Project work

     

The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine

  • Respiratory Medicine - Professor Cecilia O'Kane

    Lead Academic:     Prof C O’Kane (Research Profile Link)

    Prior to starting the placement

    Following successful application, you are invited to visit the Regional Respiratory Centre to discuss the placement with Academic Clinical Supervisors. This will help with planning a suitable research project and academic exposure.

    Generic academic skills

    By undertaking an academic F2 placement you will gain insights into clinical academic medicine through regular interactions with the Academic Clinical Supervisors, University scientific staff and postgraduate research students. This placement is designed to develop your knowledge, skills and aptitudes for academic medicine and to foster interest in a long-term clinical academic career.

    During the 4 month placement

    Academic component

    On joining the Centre for Experimental Medicine you will have an appraisal meeting to review your learning portfolio and agree the educational objectives for this F2 placement. You will receive feedback from your supervisor throughout the 4-month attachment with regular assessment to ensure academic competencies are achieved.

    Research skills

    1. A research project can be chosen in one of a number of topics relevant to respiratory medicine. These include tuberculosis, atypical infection (including non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection), bronchiectasis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, cystic fibrosis, asthma, chronic cough and COPD.  The project will be supervised by an experienced clinical academic.  Ideally, the research project will form the basis of an abstract to be submitted to a national meeting.
    2. Research training: It is envisaged you will be able to complete a number of research project tasks (learn about the research governance issues relevant to clinical academic research; undertake a literature review; interrogate a database; collate laboratory results; practise scientific writing; presentation of data in an abstract, as a poster and/or oral presentation). To assist in this we have planned for academic F2 doctors to spend some time in the respiratory research group laboratories in the Centre for Experimental Medicine. Trainees may also assist in current clinical trials and receive training in the basics of trial methodology, ethics and governance.
    3. Mentorship: You will have access to experienced clinical academic staff (Professor Heaney, Professor McAuley, Prof McGarvey, Prof O’Kane, Dr Downey) who are available to provide longer term advice and encouragement to help you pursue a career in academic medicine

    Teaching skills

    Respiratory medicine has active undergraduate and postgraduate educational opportunities.

    1. You will be encouraged to participate in the undergraduate teaching of 1st and 2nd year medical students (seminar and ward-based clinical teaching). This teaching may be directly observed by your academic supervisors or other staff from the Centre for Medical Education with opportunities for feedback to improve your confidence and competence.
    2. Formal postgraduate education includes weekly research group meetings, research and clinical governance sessions held in the within the CEM or within the wider team’s clinical trial groups.

    Clinical component

    There will be F2-level clinical feedback, appraisal and assessment as documented in the Foundation Programme Curriculum (www.mmc.nhs.uk). You will have particular opportunities to expand your knowledge of management of chronic diseases in an outpatient setting with attendance at a weekly teaching clinic where you will be expected to see new patients and some review patients. This will provide numerous encounters suitable for recording F2 competencies in mini-CEX and CBL formats. Tuition will also be provided on appropriate construction of dictated letters to fellow health professional and patients (an important generic skill). It will also be expected that you will be preparing for and sitting the Part 1 MRCP exam or equivalent during the Academic F2 year.

    Provisional job plan

    This job plan has been designed to introduce the successful candidate to major areas of clinical and academic respiratory medicine. Training in library and journal access will be provided in addition to the clinical training on the relevant hospital IT systems pertinent to respiratory practice.

     

     

    Monday

     

    Tuesday

     

    Wednesday

     

    Thursday

     

    Friday

     

     a.m.

     

    Respiratory Clinic

    (BCH, Prof O’Kane)

     

     

     

    Research group meeting

    Progress Meeting

     

    Clinical Trials

     

    Project Work

     

    Teaching

     p.m.

     

     

    Project work

     

    Project work

     

     

    Clinical Trials

     

    CPD/ Literature Review

     

    Project Work

     

     

     

  • Intensive Care Unit - Professor DF McAuley

    Lead Academic:        Professor DF McAuley (Research Profile Link)

    Clinical Supervisor: Dr J McNamee

    Prior to starting the placement

    Following successful application, you are invited to contact your Academic and Clinical Supervisors to discuss the placement. This will help with planning a suitable research project and academic exposure.

    Generic academic skills

    By undertaking an academic F2 placement you will gain insights into clinical academic medicine through regular interactions with the Supervisors, University scientific staff and postgraduate research students. This placement is designed to develop your knowledge, skills and aptitudes for academic medicine and to foster interest in a long-term clinical academic career.

    During the 4 month placement

    Academic component

    The placement will commence with an appraisal meeting to review your learning portfolio and agree the educational objectives for this F2 placement. You will receive feedback from your supervisor throughout the 4-month attachment with regular assessment to ensure academic competencies are achieved. You are encouraged to enrol for the Certificate/Diploma in Academic Medicine although this is not compulsory.

    Research skills

    1. A research project can be chosen in one of a number of topics relevant to intensive care medicine. These include the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), delirium, sepsis and nosocomial infection. The project will be supervised by an experienced clinical academic. The research project will form the basis of an abstract to be submitted to a national meeting and if possible a publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
    2. Research training: It is envisaged you will be able to complete a number of research project tasks (learn about the research governance issues relevant to clinical academic research; undertake a literature review; interrogate a database; collate laboratory results; practise scientific writing; presentation of data in an abstract, as a poster and/or oral presentation). To assist in this we have planned for academic F2 doctors to visit the Centre for Experimental Medicine (CEM) research laboratories. Trainees will assist in current clinical trials and will receive training in the basics of trial methodology, ethics and governance.
    3. Mentorship: You will have access to experienced academic and clinical staff (Prof McAuley, Dr O’Kane, Dr J McNamee, Dr M Shyamsundar, Dr Jon Silversides and Dr R McMullan) who are available to provide longer term advice and encouragement to help you pursue a career in academic medicine

    Teaching skills

    Intensive Care medicine has active undergraduate and postgraduate educational opportunities.

    1. You will participate in the undergraduate teaching of medical students (seminars, clinical skills and ward-based clinical teaching). This teaching will be directly observed with opportunities for feedback to improve your confidence and competence.
    2. Formal postgraduate education includes weekly journal clubs and seminars, as well as research and clinical governance sessions held in the Regional Intensive Care Unit and in CEM.

    Clinical component

    There will be F2-level clinical feedback, appraisal and assessment as documented in the Foundation Programme Curriculum (www.mmc.nhs.uk). You will have particular opportunities to expand your knowledge of intensive care medicine through participating in ICU consultant ward rounds. This will provide numerous encounters suitable for recording F2 competencies in mini-CEX and CBL formats. It will also be expected that you will be preparing for and sitting the MRCP exam or equivalent during the Academic F2 year.

    Provisional job plan

    This indicative job plan has been designed to introduce the successful candidate to major areas of clinical and academic intensive care medicine. There will be a dedicated desk for your use in CEM.  Training in library and journal access will be provided in addition to the clinical training on the relevant hospital IT systems pertinent to intensive care medicine practice.

     

     

     

    Monday

     

    Tuesday

     

    Wednesday

     

    Thursday

     

    Friday

     

     a.m.

     

    Project Work

     

    CEM Labs

     

     

    Clinical Trials

     

    ICM clinical

     

    ICM clinical

     

    p.m. 

    Progress meeting

    ARDS research meeting

     

    CPD/Literature Review

    Project Work

    Project Work

    Teaching in CME

     

     

  • Cystic Fibrosis and Bronchiectasis Medicine - Dr Damian Downey

    Lead Academic:        Dr Damian Downey, Respiratory, Research Department, Ground Floor Tower Block, BCH (Research Profile Link)

    Prior to starting the placement

    Following your successful application you are advised to visit the Northern Ireland Regional Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre in the Belfast City Hospital. You will be able to discuss your forthcoming placement with the Clinical and Clinical Academic Supervisors. This is to ensure a suitable research project is chosen and that the academic F2 requirements will be met.

    Generic academic skills

    By undertaking an academic F2 placement you will gain insights into clinical academic medicine through regular interactions with the Clinical Academic Supervisor, University scientific staff and postgraduate research students. This placement is designed to develop your knowledge, skills and aptitudes for academic medicine and to foster interest in a long-term clinical academic career.

    Academic component

    On joining the Regional Adult CF Centre you will have an initial appraisal meeting to review your learning portfolio and agree the educational objectives for this F2 placement. You will then meet face to face with Dr Downey on a weekly basis. These regular assessments will ensure academic competencies are met and that your agreed project is on target for completion during your 4-month attachment.

    Research skills

    1. Project. A research project can be chosen in a number of areas in CF and bronchiectasis. There are multiple active areas of research. These include microbiology database analysis, clinical trial experience, bench microbiology and inflammatory marker work. It would be expected that the work generated would form the basis of an abstract to an international meeting and/or a short report to a journal.
    2. Research Training. With guidance it is envisaged you will be able to complete a number of research project tasks, learn about the clinical research governance issues, undertake a literature review, interrogate a database, collate clinical and microbiological data, practise scientific writing, present data in an abstract and a poster/oral presentation.
    3. Mentorship. You will have access to a clinical academic staff member (Dr D Downey) who is available to provide longer term advice and encouragement to help you pursue a career in academic medicine.

    Teaching skills

    Cystic Fibrosis and bronchiectasis has active undergraduate and postgraduate educational opportunities. There are multiple medical students attached to the respiratory ward at any one time and educational opportunities will involve tutorial and bed-side teaching. The CF team includes a wide range of multidisciplinary members and there will be an opportunity to teach and discuss research projects and/or findings following the MDT meetings on Mondays.

    There are also available slots for paper presentations and project discussion at our lab meetings on Wednesday mornings.

    Feedback will be provided throughout.

    Clinical component

    The CF Centre in the Belfast City Hospital provides care for all adult patients with CF in NI. Dr Downey also leads a large bronchiectasis service that also includes a Lung Defence Clinic. This clinic provides specialist care for patients with immunodeficiencies and structural lung disease and is run in conjunction with clinical immunologists. The inpatient and outpatient work will provide a unique opportunity to be involved in the care of patients with complex respiratory needs and will provide training in treating challenging infections.

    There will be amble opportunities for recording F2 competencies in mini-CEX and CBD formats.

    Provisional job plans

    Example Template

     

     

    Monday

     

    Tuesday

     

    Wednesday

     

    Thursday

     

    Friday

     

    a.m.

    CF Ward Round and MDT

     

    Project

     

    Lab-meeting, teaching and project

     

     

    Ward Round

     

     

    Bronchiectasis Clinic

     

     p.m.

    Teaching and Project

     

     

     

    Project

    CF Clinic

     

    X-Ray meeting

    Project

     

    Project or CF Clinic

     

     

     

  • Neurology / Neuroimmunology - Professor Denise Fitzgerald

    Lead    Academic:      Prof Denise Fitzgerald  Research Profile Link

    Co-Supervisors:        Dr Gavin McDonnell, Dr Stella Hughes

    Prior to starting the placement

    Following successful application, you are invited to visit the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine to discuss the placement with Academic and Clinical Supervisors. This will help with planning a suitable research project and academic exposure. For this post, Clinical Neurologists Dr Gavin McDonnell and/or Dr Stella Hughes will serve as co-supervisors

    Generic academic skills

    By undertaking an academic F2 placement you will gain insights into clinical academic medicine through regular interactions with the Academic and Clinical Supervisors, Clinical Academics in training, University scientific staff and postgraduate research students. This placement is designed to develop your knowledge, skills and aptitudes for academic medicine and to foster interest in a long-term clinical academic career.

    Academic component

    On joining the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine you will have an appraisal meeting to review your learning portfolio and agree the educational objectives for this F2 placement. You will receive feedback from your supervisors throughout the 4-month attachment with regular assessment to ensure academic competencies are achieved.

    Research skills

    1. A research project can be chosen in one of a number of topics relevant to neurology with an emphasis on inflammatory and demyelinating diseases. These include immunology, stem cell biology, neuroscience, regenerative biology, neuropathology, therapeutic intervention and clinical trialling. The project will be supervised by a team of supervisors to include at least one academic and one clinician. A clinical doctoral fellow may also contribute to the supervision. Ideally, the research project will form the basis of an abstract to be submitted to a national meeting.

    2. Research training: It is envisaged you will be able to complete a number of research project tasks (e.g. learn about the research governance issues relevant to clinical academic research; undertake a literature review; interrogate a database; collate laboratory results; undertake scientific writing; presentation of data in an abstract, as a poster and/or oral presentation). To assist in this you will spend some time in the Multiple Sclerosis research cluster laboratories in the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine (WWIEM). Trainees may also have an opportunity assist in current clinical trials and receive training in the basics of trial methodology, ethics and governance.

    3. Mentorship: You will have access to experienced clinical and academic staff who are available to provide longer term advice and encouragement to help you pursue a career in academic medicine as well as clinical academics that collaborate with the QUB MS Research cluster.

    Teaching skills

    Neurology has active undergraduate and postgraduate educational opportunities.

    1. You will be encouraged to participate in the undergraduate teaching of medical students (SSC, seminar and ward-based clinical teaching). This teaching may be directly observed by your academic supervisors or other staff from the Centre for Medical Education with opportunities for feedback to improve your confidence and competence.  In particular, there will be opportunity for involvement in year 3 neurology teaching – in conjunction with Drs. Stella Hughes and Karen Doherty.

    2. Formal postgraduate education includes weekly research group meetings, research and clinical governance sessions held in the within the WWIEM and within the wider clinical neurology and clinical trial groups.

    Clinical component

    There will be F2-level clinical feedback, appraisal and assessment as documented in the Foundation Programme Curriculum (www.mmc.nhs.uk). You will have particular opportunities to expand your knowledge of management of neurological diseases in an outpatient setting with attendance at a weekly outpatient clinic where you will be expected to see new patients and some review patients. This will provide numerous encounters suitable for recording F2 competencies in mini-CEX and CBD formats. You will also gain experience of dictating letters to fellow health professional and patients (an important generic skill). It will also be expected that you will be preparing for and sitting the Part 1 MRCP exam or equivalent during the Academic F2 year.

     

    Provisional job plans

    This job plan has been designed to introduce the successful candidate to major areas of clinical and academic neurology and neuroimmunology. Training in library and journal access will be provided in addition to the clinical training on the relevant hospital IT systems pertinent to neurology practice.

    Example Template

     

     

     

    Monday

     

    Tuesday

     

    Wednesday

     

    Thursday

     

    Friday

     

    a.m.

     

    MS Research labs (WWIEM)

     

     

    Neurosciences Grand Rounds and progress meeting

     

     

    MS clinic

     

    MS Research Cluster meetings

     

     

    MS clinic

     p.m.

     

     Project work

     

     

     

    Project work

     

     

    MDT/Neuroinflammatory imaging meetings

     

     

    CPD/Literature review

     

     Clinical Trials

     

  • Virology - Professor Ultan Power

    Lead Academic:          Professor Ultan Powe  Research Profile Link

    Clinical Supervisor:    Dr Kathy Li

    Outline of the post

    Prior to starting the placement

    Following successful application, you are invited to visit the Regional Virology Laboratory Kelvin, RVH, to discuss the placement with Academic Clinical Supervisors. This will help with planning a suitable research project and academic exposure.

    Generic academic skills

    By undertaking an academic F2 placement you will gain insights into clinical academic medicine through regular interactions with the Academic Clinical Supervisors, University scientific staff and postgraduate research students. This placement is designed to develop your knowledge, skills and aptitudes for academic medicine and to foster interest in a long-term clinical academic career.

    During the 4 month placement

    Academic component

    The placement will compare with an appraisal meeting to review your learning portfolio and agree the educational objectives for this F2 placement. You will receive feedback from your supervisor throughout the 4-month attachment with regular assessment to ensure academic competencies are achieved.

    Research skills

    1. A research project can be chosen in one of a number of areas in virus associated infections.  These include respiratory infections, infections in pregnancy and infections in the post-transplant setting.  The project will be supervised by an experienced clinical academic, or Prof. Power, depending on whether a more laboratory-based project is preferred.  If possible, the research project could form the basis of an abstract to be submitted to a national meeting
    2. Research training: It is envisaged you will be able to complete a number of research project tasks (learn about the research governance issues relevant to clinical academic research; undertake a literature review; interrogate a database; introduction to bioinformatics; collate laboratory results; practise scientific writing; presentation of data in an abstract, as a poster and/or oral presentation).   Trainees will assist in current on-going studies and will receive training in the basics of trial methodology, ethics and governance.
    3. Mentorship: You will have access to experienced clinical and scientific academic staff (Professor McGarvey, Professor McAuley, Professor U Power) who are available to provide longer term advice and encouragement to help you pursue a career in academic medicine and science.

    Teaching skills

    Microbiology has active undergraduate and postgraduate educational opportunities.

    1. You will be encouraged to participate in the undergraduate teaching of medical students as appropriate through seminars and lectures. This teaching will be directly observed by your academic supervisors with multiple opportunities for feedback to improve your confidence and competence.
    2. Formal postgraduate education includes a weekly journal club, research discussions, case-based learning, clinical governance and audit sessions held in the Regional Virus Laboratory.

    Clinical component

    There will be F2-level clinical feedback, appraisal and assessment as documented in the Foundation Programme Curriculum (www.mmc.nhs.uk). You will have particular opportunities to expand your knowledge of molecular investigations of infectious diseases with attendance at   teaching clinics / rounds where you will be expected to collate laboratory findings in relation to clinical presentation.  This will provide numerous encounters suitable for recording F2 competencies. Case reporting under the supervision of the consultant virology staff will be an integral component of the attachment.  It will also be expected that you will be preparing for and sitting the Part 1 MRCP exam or equivalent during the Academic F2 year.

    Provisional job plan

    This job plan has been designed to introduce the successful candidate to major areas of clinical and academic virology / molecular infectious diseases. There will be a dedicated desk and personal computer for use in the unit. Training in library and journal access will be provided in addition to the clinical training on the relevant hospital IT systems pertinent to virology practice.

     

     

    Monday

     

    Tuesday

     

    Wednesday

     

    Thursday

     

    Friday

     

     

     

    a.m.

     

    Clinical

    Virology

     

     

    ICU Clinical Round

     

    Project Work

     

     

     

    Case reviews and SpR microbiology teaching

     

    Clinical   Virology

     

     

    Journal Club

     

    Project Work

     

     

     

    Research Meeting

     

    CPD/ Literature Review

     

    ICU Clinical Round

     

     

    p.m.

     

    Project Work

     

    Progress meeting

     

    Specialist Skills Training

     

     

    Specialist Skills

    Training

     

     

    Project Work

     

    Clinical   Virology – case reporting

     

  • Immunohistochemistry and molecular cell biology - Dr Derek Brazil

    Lead Academics:       Dr Derek P.Brazil Telephone:028-9097-6469 (Research Profile Link)

    Clinical Supervisor:  Dr. Vicky Coyle, Consultant Oncologist, Belfast City Hospital

    Prior to starting the placement

    The Brazil group is based in the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine on the Belfast City Hospital site. The group is interested in Gremlin1, a molecule that plays a key role in human diseases such as colorectal cancer, diabetic nephropathy and lung fibrosis. The Brazil group has shown that patients with high levels of Grem1 expression in their colorectal cancers have poorer survival rates. In addition, Grem1 expression is associated with the CMS4 stromal, metastatic subtype of colorectal cancer. The group is working to elucidate how Grem1 expression drives aggressive cancer formation, and also identify whether Grem1 can be detected in patient serum as a potential early biomarker for disease detection. Finally, the Brazil group have developed novel, small molecule inhibitors of Grem1 that are being developed as lead compounds for therapeutic Grem1 inhibitors to treat colorectal cancer, diabetic nephropathy and other diseases.

    The trainee should read up on the Brazil group and ongoing research activities:

    https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/derek-brazil

    https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/Research/find-a-phd-supervisor/dr-derek-brazil.html

    https://vimeo.com/qubmarketing/review/360214697/eba9a6eb50

    Background reading of publications from the Brazil laboratory. Familiarisation with theory around laboratory techniques such as Western blotting, PCR, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridisation.

    Generic academic skills

    Literature review focussed on the role of Gremlin1 and BMP signalling in colorectal cancer and kidney fibrosis. Data analysis and statistical interrogation. Presentation at group meetings, Writing of papers.

    Academic component

    The trainee will be exposed to the range of research activities here in the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine. Attendance at weekly seminars will provide exposure to cutting-edge research here at QUB and also from external institutions. The trainee will be expected to write up their results and present them to the centre at the end of their placement. It is expected that results from the trainee will be included on published abstracts and research papers from the Brazil group. Completion of this placement should place the trainee in a strong position to apply for a PhD and pursue a career in clinical academic medicine.  Trainees will attend the weekly Brazil research group meeting and will meet with Dr. Brazil one-to-one at least once per month to discuss progress. Both trainee and supervisor will complete a meeting feedback form for each of these meetings, with action points agreed for the following month of the project.

    Research skills

    This 4-month placement will involve the trainee joining the Brazil research team here in the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine. The trainee will be part of the project team focussed on elucidating the role of Gremlin1 in colorectal cancer and kidney fibrosis. Tissue samples from patients and mouse models of disease will be analysed by immunohistochemistry staining for Grem1 in biopsies to map the expression of Grem1 in diseased tissue. In addition, levels of Grem1 in serum samples will also be analysed by mass spectrometry to identify the potential of Grem1 as a prognostic/diagnostic/therapeutic marker for colorectal cancer, diabetic nephropathy and other diseases. The trainee will compare these laboratory findings with other clinicopathological correlates from patients to provide correlative evidence of Grem1 protein expression and patient outcomes

    Teaching skills

    Opportunities to teach undergraduate medical students in small group teaching, as part of the new C25 medical curriculum. Dr. Brazil is the Year 1 lead in Medicine and will advise the trainee on teaching opportunities as a facilitator in Case-Based Learning sessions and tutorials in both Year 1 and 2 C25 Medicine. In addition, opportunities as a tutor in Clinical Skills teaching in CSEC and the new InterSim centre will be provided.   

    Clinical and or Research Centre Seminars

    The trainee will be able to attend weekly seminars at WWIEM which take place on Tuesdays at 1pm. In addition, other seminars in the PGJCCR and CPH will also be available. Ad hoc clinical seminars in CME/RVH etc will also be advertised and available to trainees.

    Clinical component

    The trainee will obtain one-two sessions per week of clinical training (depending on clinical and scientific research interests) at the Cancer Centre, Belfast City Hospital, under the supervision of Dr. Vicky Coyle, Clinical Senior Lecturer and Consultant Oncologist. Dr. Coyle will act as the educational supervisor for the trainee and allow them to complete a series of clinical competencies in oncology during their 4-month placement.

    Provisional job plans

    Example Template (flexible sessions are possible, to be discussed with Dr. Brazil)

     

     

    Monday

     

    Tuesday

     

    Wednesday

     

    Thursday

     

    Friday

     

     

    a.m.

     

     x

     

    x

     

     

    x

     

     

    x

     

     

     x

     

    p.m.

     

    x

     

     

     

     

     x

     

     Clinical session

     

     x

     

     x

  • Critical Care Medicine - Dr Bronwen Connolly

    Lead Academics:      Dr Bronwen Connolly (Research Profile Link)

    Prior to starting the placement

    Following successful application, you are invited to contact your Academic Clinical Supervisors to discuss the placement. This will help with planning a suitable research project and academic exposure.

    Generic academic skills

    This is a 4 month ‘stand-alone’ academic F2 rotation.  By undertaking an academic F2 placement you will gain insights into clinical academic medicine through regular interactions with your Supervisors, University scientific staff, and postgraduate research students.  The placement is designed to develop your knowledge, skills, and aptitude for academic critical care medicine, and to foster interest in a long-term clinical academic career within this speciality.  

    The following broad objectives will be met as part of this academic F2 rotation:

    Development of a research proposal from a research question including relevant governance processes and applications for approvals where necessary; ‘Hands on’ experience with an ongoing research project; Attaining Good Clinical Practice certification; Exposure to, and understanding of, the various teaching methodologies and apply them during teaching sessions; Clinical experience in the management of a critically unwell patient, and their post critical illness follow-up

    Academic component

    On joining the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine (WWIEM) you will have an appraisal meeting with your Supervisor to review your learning portfolio and agree the educational objectives for this F2 placement.  You will receive feedback from your Supervisor throughout the 4-month attachment with regular assessment to ensure academic competencies are achieved.  Clinical feedback, appraisal and assessment will be provided according to the Foundation Programme Curriculum.

    You are encouraged to enrol for the Certificate/Diploma in Academic Medicine although this is not compulsory.

    Research skills

    1. Formulate a research question relevant to the research programme that centres on acute respiratory failure and the use of mucoactive drugs to assist with mucociliary clearance (suggestions will be provided by the supervisor to support this process). The project will be supervised by an experienced clinical academic, and will form the basis of an abstract to be submitted to a national meeting and if possible a publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
    2. Research tasks: A number of research tasks will be completed in relation to the project, including but not limited to, i) a literature search relating to this question if required for the topic, ii) learn about the research governance issues relevant to clinical academic research using this project as an example, iii) data acquisition, database development, data analysis and interpretation, iv) practice scientific writing in the form of a summary of the project and preparation of an abstract for submission to a scientific meeting, v) verbal presentation of the project and its findings to the wider research group
    3. Training: Trainees will assist in current clinical trials and will receive training in the basics of trial methodology, ethics and governance, scientific writing and presentation. In addition, trainees will attend a Good Clinical Practice workshop to acquire certification via the online NIHR training platform.
    4. Mentorship: You will have access to experienced academic and clinical staff who are available to provide longer term advice and guidance regarding pathways to support you pursuing a career in clinical academic critical care medicine (including, but not limited to, Dr Connolly (Supervisor), Prof McAuley, Prof O’Kane, Dr Shyamsundar, Dr Silversides)

    Teaching skills

    Critical Care Medicine has active undergraduate and postgraduate educational opportunities:

    1. You will participate in the undergraduate teaching of medical students (seminars, clinical skills and ward-based clinical teaching); this teaching will be directly observed with opportunities for feedback to improve your confidence and competence
    2. Formal postgraduate education includes weekly journal clubs and seminars, as well as research and clinical governance sessions held in the Regional Intensive Care Unit and in WWIEM

    During the rotation, examples of activities you will be expected to participate in:

    • Develop your knowledge of educational theory relevant to medicine
    • Participate in the delivery of clinical skills and large-group teaching
    • Participate in small-group and bedside teaching of medical students
    • Assist in planning and observe an undergraduate clinical examination
    • Organise 2 ‘peer-reviews’ of their teaching and perform peer review of others teaching
    • Complete a structured reflective note about 2 teaching sessions to which they have contributed

    Clinical component

    The trainee will attend the Regional Intensive Care Unit (Royal Victoria Hospital) for their clinical component.  This will involve working in a multidisciplinary environment and will involve review of critically ill patients, and engagement with physiotherapists, dietitians and other specialities for patient management. 

    There will be F2-level clinical feedback, appraisal and assessment. You will have particular opportunities to expand your knowledge of critical care medicine through participating in ICU consultant ward rounds, and attending post critical illness Follow-Up clinics. This will provide numerous encounters suitable for recording F2 competencies in mini-CEX and CBL formats.  It will also be expected that you will be preparing for and sitting the MRCP exam or equivalent during the Academic F2 year.

    Provisional job plans

    This indicative job plan has been designed to introduce the successful candidate to major areas of clinical and academic critical care medicine.  There will be a dedicated desk for your use in WWIEM.  Training in library and journal access will be provided in addition to the clinical training on the relevant hospital IT systems pertinent to critical care medicine practice.

     

     

    Monday

     

    Tuesday

     

    Wednesday

     

    Thursday

     

    Friday

     

    a.m.

    Project work

    Literature review

     

    Clinical Trials

    Clinical

     

    Project work

     p.m.

     Progress meeting

     

    Research group meeting

     

    CPD/Medical education

    Project work

    Medical education

     Clinical

     

     

  • Cardiology - Professor David Grieve & Dr C Watson

    Lead Academics:        Professor David Grieve (Research Profile Link) and Dr Chris Watson (Research Profile Link)  

    Clinical Supervisor:    Professor Mark Harbinson (m.harbinson@qub.ac.uk)

    Prior to starting the placement

    Following successful application, you will be invited to the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine (WWIEM) to meet with your academic and clinical supervisors to discuss your specific clinical and research interests in order to inform the most relevant project and academic/clinical exposure over the course of the placement.

    Generic academic skills

    An academic F2 placement in Cardiology will promote insight into clinical academic medicine through working alongside both basic and clinical academic scientists, specialist clinical trainees, postdoctoral researchers, and students. The aim of this placement is to develop your knowledge, skills and aptitude for academic medicine, which we hope will foster interest in a long-term clinical academic career which may involve undertaking a MD or PhD degree in Cardiology.

    Academic component

    Upon joining our Cardiology research team in WWIEM, you will have an appraisal meeting with your supervisors to review your learning portfolio and to agree educational, research, and training objectives for this academic F2 placement. You will meet with your supervisors weekly, either individually or together with other members of their research groups, to discuss progress and agree plans. This will be facilitated by completion of a standard meeting template including specific supervisor throughout the 4-month placement with regular review of progress to ensure that relevant competencies are achieved.

    Research skills

    Research project: can be chosen in one of a number of topics relevant to cardiology, including diabetic cardiomyopathy, ischaemic/hypertensive heart disease and diastolic heart failure, with focus on identification of novel therapeutic targets and diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers. Your research projects will be primarily based in WWIEM and will be supervised by one or two academic staff with input from experienced laboratory-based researchers. It is anticipated that any results generated through the course of the placement would be published in the form of a scientific abstract and/or manuscript on which you would be a named co-author.

    Research training: It is envisaged you will be able to complete a number of research project tasks, such as learning about governance issues relevant to clinical academic research, undertaking a literature review, interrogating a database, collating laboratory results, practising basic experimental techniques, and oral/poster presentation. To support this training, you will spend a significant part of the placement working within the Cardiology research laboratories within WWIEM. Trainees may also have the opportunity to assist with ongoing clinical studies related to our laboratory-based programmes.

    Mentorship: During your placement you will have access to experienced clinical academic staff in cardiology and related disciplines who are available to provide longer-term advice and encouragement to help you to plan and pursue a career in academic medicine.

    Teaching skills

    Cardiology has active undergraduate and postgraduate educational opportunities. During the F2 placement, your contribution will be formalised in consultation with the Centre for Medical Education and comprise at least ½ day per week to include:

    Undergraduate teaching of medical students which may involve contribution to clinically-related aspects of ongoing student-selected components (e.g. cardiovascular imaging), intercalated research projects, and ward-based clinical teaching. Some sessions will be directly observed by your academic/clinical supervisors or other staff from the Centre for Medical Education who will provide constructive feedback to improve your confidence and competence.

    Formal postgraduate education in WWIEM which may involve contribution to regular research group meetings (at which you will be expected to present your F2 placement plans and progress), research and clinical governance sessions, theoretical or practical teaching of Masters students, and critical appraisal of relevant published literature in journal club format.

    Clinical component

    There will be F2-level clinical feedback, appraisal and assessment as documented in the

    Foundation Programme Curriculum (www.mmc.nhs.uk). You will have particular opportunities to

    expand your knowledge of management of heart disease in an outpatient setting with attendance at outpatient clinics.  This will provide numerous encounters suitable for recording F2 competencies in mini-CEX and CBD formats. You will also gain experience of dictating letters to fellow health professional and patients (an important generic skill). It is also expected that you will be preparing for and sitting the Part 1 MRCP exam or equivalent during the Academic F2 year.

    Provisional job plans

    This example job plan has been designed to introduce the successful candidate to major areas of academic Cardiology. There will be individualisation of the attachment for trainees dependent on previous research experience and ultimate career wishes, but neither previous research training nor a desire to work in Cardiology long-term are mandatory. Training in library and journal access will be provided in addition to clinical training on the relevant hospital IT systems pertinent to Cardiology practice.

    CARDIOLOGY EXAMPLE

     

     

    Monday

     

    Tuesday

     

    Wednesday

     

    Thursday

     

    Friday

     

    a.m.

     

     MRI Clinic

     

    WWIEM Research

     

     

    Surgical Ward Round

     

    Inherited Cardiac Conditions Clinic

     

     

    WWIEM Research

     

    p.m.

     

    WWIEM Research

     

     

     

    WWIEM Research

     

     Heart Failure Clinic

     

     CPD / Literature Review

     

    Cardiology Research Group Meeting

     

     

  • Anaesthesia and intensive care medicine - Dr Jon Silverside

    Lead Academic:    Jon Silverside   (Research Profile Link)      

    Prior to starting the placement

    Following successful application, you are invited to contact your Academic and Clinical Supervisors to discuss the placement. This will help with planning the research project and academic exposure.

    Generic academic skills

    A specialist academic F2 placement will provide opportunities to develop skills, knowledge and confidence in academic medicine to provide a strong base for a future academic career. Throughout the placement you will be supported and guided by your academic supervisors to complete a succinct research project that we hope will encourage you to pursue a clinical academic career.

    Academic component

    The academic placement will be facilitated in the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine. Educational objectives will be agreed at an initial supervisor meeting on commencement of the placement and you will be supported to develop your interest and ability in academic medicine.

    Research skills

    Project - The proposed research project will investigate peri-operative myocardial injury in patients undergoing oesophagectomy. This multidisciplinary project is relevant to students with an interest in anaesthesia, surgery, oncology and/or cardiology.

    Research training - It is expected that you will undertake a literature review, collate laboratory results and perform statistical analysis of cardiac biomarker results. You will be encouraged and supported to present the results in abstract form with the aim of a poster / oral presentation at a national meeting.

    Mentorship - Clinical academic staff will provide mentorship for the duration of the Academic F2 placement and project. We are keen to support you both during the and hopefully in the pursuit of an academic medical career.

    Teaching skills
    In Belfast City Hospital anaesthesia and intensive care medicine have active undergraduate and post-graduation educational programmes with weekly teaching and journal club sessions. You will have the opportunity to participate in informal undergraduate medical student teaching within the department and to facilitate/deliver undergraduate teaching sessions as part of the Perioperative and Emergency Medicine module for 4th year students.

    Feedback and support will be provided for these sessions.

    Clinical component

    The clinical component of the placement will be located at Belfast City Hospital with opportunities for experience in both anaesthesia and intensive care medicine at FY2 level in line with the Foundation Programme Curriculum. This will include patient reviews and ward rounds in the intensive care unit and there will be the opportunity to learn practical procedures under direct supervision in both the intensive care unit and in operating theatres.

    Provisional job plans

    This indicative job plan has been designed to introduce the successful candidate to major areas of intensive care medicine, anaesthesia and academic medicine. In particular, there will be exposure to theatre and intensive care management of oesophagectomy patients.

     

    Monday

     Tuesday

     Wednesday

     Thursday

     

    Friday

     

     

    a.m.

    Supervisor meeting and research project work

     

     

    Anaesthetic theatre

     

     

     ICU clinical

    Research Project

    Research Project

     

    p.m.

    Teaching preparation / attendance

     

     

    Anaesthetic theatre

     

    ICU clinical

    Research Project

     

    Research Project

     

Other Information 

  • Teaching Skills with Centre for Medical Education

    To date, many trainees have gained valuable teaching experience in CSEC.    

    Opportunities on offer

    • Regular teaching sessions in clinical skills – with formal induction and debrief
    • Peer review of teaching
    • OSCE training and potential to examine in an OSCE
    • Certificate for the AFP2 portfolio 

    Teaching sessions on offer

    • Teaching usually occurs on a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoon  - during the academic year
    • There are also other teaching sessions on during the week
    • There are also many other opportunities in teaching in the Centre for Medical Education 
    • To ensure a rich experience we would recommend at least 1 session per week were possible

    Further information on this will be available on these opportunities at induction. 

  • Clinical Academic Training Pathway

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