Being an Academic Clinical Fellow - Frequently Asked Questions
If you are interested in becoming an Academic Clinical Fellow, here are some questions and answers:
What will the clinical work entail?
The ACF becomes part of the practice team for six months. They take over the usual workload of a GP in the attached practice: typically two surgeries, house calls and the usual administration e.g. results, letters etc.
What will the GPs replaced by the ACF be doing?
As you can see from the Practice Page of our website, the freed up GPs will be engaging in projects to improve patient care. Practices will work to a Practice Development Plan (PDP) agreed with the Scheme Director (SD), stipulating the improvement activity, the anticipated timescale, the people involved and measurable outcomes. Progress is reviewed at three months and completion. The absolute rule is that the freed up GPs are engaged in development activities not delivery of care.
Professional future?
Experience from the South Wales Scheme suggests that an Academic Clinical Fellow will go on to practice in deprived areas while maintaining links with the Academic centre, in teaching and research. We hope this will be the same for the deprived and rural areas in which attachments have taken place. Those with long term academic aspirations have been supported to apply for fellowships and have attained PhDs. ACFs are also highly likely to teach undergraduates in their practices and become GP trainers. Some have moved into Public Health and medical management. From the beginning, everyone involved in supporting you will be encouraging you to think about, plan and move strategically towards your professional future.
Won’t ACFs just be used as an extra pair of hands?
No, they are supernumerary, so for instance are not included in the practice leave rota.
Where will the teaching take place?
At present this will happen in one of the three North Wales District General Hospitals (DGHs):
- Wrexham Maelor,
- Glan Clwyd,
- Ysbyty Gwynedd.
The Team developing the Scheme are currently exploring future teaching opportunities that will provide diversity in terms of the teaching context, content and students.
Will there be teaching support for the ACFs?
Yes the SD who is an experienced medical teacher at under / postgraduate level, and the Programme Directors for undergraduate education in each DGH will supervise and support the teaching.
I don’t have any research experience, is that a problem?
No, each ACF will have a senior researcher as a supervisor, who will identify appropriate research topics, training for the ACF and provide ongoing close support.
Isn’t getting a publication a big deal in terms of the time needed and the process?
Yes it is, but we have designed things to maximise the chances of a successful outcome. Typically the ACF will be engaged in either or both of, updating a Cochrane review (to provide skills in critical appraisal), and asking a novel question of existing data, (this avoids the necessity of creating a research proposal from scratch and getting ethical approval).
This is a new Scheme, how do you know it will work?
Yes it is, but it is based upon a similar highly successful ten year Scheme in South Wales, using the experience gained, and run by the same Director.
The pay is much less than I’d earn being a locum.
Yes it is but think of the difference in your career prospects at the end of the three years!
What sort of professional future might the Scheme prepare me for?
Experience from the South Wales Scheme suggests that an Academic Clinical Fellow will go on to practice in deprived areas while maintaining links with the Academic centre, in teaching and research. Those with long term academic aspirations have been supported to apply for fellowships and have attained PhDs. ACFs are also highly likely to teach undergraduates in their practices and become GP trainers. Some have moved into Public Health and medical management. From the beginning, everyone involved in supporting you will be encouraging you to think about, plan and move strategically towards your professional future.