Specialised Foundation Training Programmes in the West Midlands Deanery
NHS West Midlands Workforce Deanery, the Universities of Birmingham, Warwick and Keele, NHS teaching trusts and GP practices have developed 10 two year integrated Specialised Foundation programmes for trainees who are considering careers in clinical academic medicine.
The NHS has recognised that clinical academics, who undertake research and teaching form a crucial part of the NHS and is developing a clear point of entry, career structure, and training programme for doctors who wish to pursue this career pathway.
Programmes will engage trainees in rotations which value research and/or education and provide the individual with every opportunity to explore research and/or education interests. Clinical service and training will still comprise the majority of the trainee’s timetable.
Aims of Academic Programmes
Achievements in our academic foundation programmes would strengthen an application for clinical specialist training or an academic clinical fellowship in any specialty.
The programmes are suitable for
trainees who wish to explore their potential for a career in medical research and/ or education
trainees who have made firm decisions to commit to an academic career
The specific aims of our foundation academic programmes are
to achieve all competencies in the Foundation Programme in preparation for specialist training
to provide exposure to academic medicine, clinical science and evidence based clinical practice to provide a foundation for a career in academic medicine.
General Information
The trainees will rotate through 3 four month modules in each foundation year. Contracts of employment will be held by Trusts.
The academic programme in each of the three universities is different, but all three programmes involve one full time clinical academic placement with mentoring, coaching and appraisal by an established senior clinical academic.
Please note that rotations and specialties are subject to change.
First Foundation Year
In the first foundation year, postholders must focus on achieving the requirements for full registration by the General Medical Council but, in addition, will receive coaching, support, mentoring and supervision by a skilled senior academic to prepare for the second foundation year and subsequent academic specialty career. The formal teaching programme and other related experiences will be the same as for any other foundation trainee.
Second Foundation Year
In the second foundation year, one block is designated for academic training and preparation for application for academic clinical fellowship programme.
The programmes will deliver training for post holders to achieve a range of academic competencies as well as clinical competencies as stipulated by the “Curriculum for the Foundation Years in Postgraduate Education and Training”, and full registration with the General Medical Council.
Progress review
You will undergo Annual Review of Competence Progression with your Clinical and Academic Supervisor. The latest version of the Gold Guide- A Reference Guide for Postgraduate Specialty Training in the UK - includes the relevant forms and lots of general information. The Report on Academic Trainee's ProgressLink opens in a new window form should be completed a month in advance of the ARCP meeting.
Development Opportunities
Postgraduate modules: SFPs will be funded to undertake up to 3 modules (60 CATS). Modules should be selected from any of our 3 main MSc programmes and may result in a PGCert if selected modules align to a specific course as indicated on the course pages. Modules should be taken in the second year of the SFP period. Details of how to apply can be found hereLink opens in a new window.
Case Based Learning: All SFP trainees will contribute to Phase 3 MBChB teaching by facilitating a minimum of 5 Case Based Learning (CBL) sessions during their academic rotation. CBL is similar to Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and is the key pedagogy at the core of the entire MBChB curriculum. In this important educational role, trainees will use small group skills to support the group of students to apply previous experience and knowledge to explore new topics, and learn the areas of the curriculum covered by an authentic but fictional patient case. Facilitators will be trained in small group skills, and further opportunities to develop these skills or contribute to additional educational activities can be discussed with Dr Louise Davis L.Davis.3@warwick.ac.uk. Further details can be found here.
