"I joined the Unit of Academic Primary Care as an Academic Clinical Fellow (ACF) in November 2021. Currently, I divide my time working clinically in rural Herefordshire as a GP Registrar with the rest of my week at Warwick Medical School.

"I completed my undergraduate training at Brighton and Sussex Medical School before returning home to the West Midlands to commence my postgraduate clinical training. After completing the Foundation Programme, I took a year out of training to undertake my Masters degree in the History of Medicine and then a further year as a Clinical Teaching Fellow at the University of Birmingham. I gained the Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education during this year.

"I gained my first experience of research during my MA where I was able to spend time exploring the experiences of doctors and patients in a historical context. I thoroughly enjoyed developing my skills in qualitative research methodologies, and also saw how it could be reconstructed for modern clinical practice. I applied for the ACF role in order to pursue this interest and to gain further experience in research.

"I have research interests in medically unexplained symptoms, focusing on exploring the meaning and experience of illness for both clinicians and patients. Currently, I am exploring how these are navigated within digital and remote consulting in Primary Care."

Enquiries:

helen dot leach at warwick dot ac dot uk