academic foundation training in NYECFS
What is an academic foundation programme?
Lindsay Banham – Leeds graduate, NYEC Trainee 06/08
An AFP provides foundation doctors with the opportunity to develop research, teaching and leadership/management skills in addition to the current basic Foundation competencies. They are intended to be benefi cial to both trainees who plan to go into academic medicine as well as those who choose a different medical career. There is a national AFP recruitment window between May and September prior to the national process opening in October. However, each FS has its own application process and timeline during this window. Recruitment timelines for all UK FSs can be found on the UKFPO website from May. Applicants who apply for an AFP but are not successful are still eligible to apply via the national process for a ‘standard’ FP. However, if an applicant accepts an AFP they will not be entered into the national process. The UKFPO have produced ‘A Rough Guide to the Academic FP’ which is available to download from their website or from your MS/local FS.
What do we offer?
We currently offer 3 different Academic Programmes (9 posts) all linked with the University of York’s Health Sciences department who have particular strengths in molecular medicine, cancer research and evidence-based health care. We are also seeking to establish a new Medical Education Academic Programme in conjunction with HYMS. All Academic trainees are based at York Hospital for F1. This gives plenty of opportunity to prepare for the Academic F2 post and meet current trainees and Supervisors in the form of an Academic journal club. The F2 year contains a dedicated 4 month Academic post based at York University. The Academic F2 will work with the team to deliver their current research programme but is also encouraged to take responsibility for a specific output of their own. The intended goals are a publication and presentations. Each Academic F2 will attend the Introduction to Research Methodology course at York University and sit the exam. The Academic year culminates in a Deanery wide Academic Presentation day.
Banding
The Academic 4-month post attracts a banding supplement (currently 1B) so Academic F2s will do 4 long daytime weekends at their base hospital. This provides an excellent way to maintain clinical skills.
Excess mileage is paid between the base hospital and York University.
