Senior Lecturer
- About
-
- Email Address
- kim.walker@abdn.ac.uk
- Telephone Number
- +44 (0)1224 437920
- School/Department
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition
Biography
Dr Kim Walker was appointed in 2019 as the 1st Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Health Education Research and Innovation (CHERI) to lead on faculty development and the delivery of pedagogic research. She has been involved in research for over 30 years, with significant experience in qualitative and quantitative data including big data and population studies. Her main areas of research are career choice and decision making, impact of generational issues, faculty development and doctors wellbeing. More recently she has been appointed as the research lead for physician associates. Kim has pioneered the use of novel methods of presenting and disseminating research output to ensure maximum effect and to reach out to new and diverse audiences whilst creating high impact academic articles.
Dr Kim Walker is an Aberdeen graduate who had an established research career in clinical pharmacology and human physiology before progressing to management roles. In 2001, Kim started employment in NHS Education for Scotland (NES) where she was the Education Director and Scotland Foundation School Director. This involved a broad portfolio of work including management of ACT funds, quality management and research and representing NES on the Scottish Medical Education Research Consortium (SMERC) Project Board. Kim was seconded on a part-time basis to the UK Foundation Programme Office (UKFPO), the body which oversees the two years of postgraduate medical training following medical school, as Special Advisor and represented UKFPO on the UKMED Research Group and Project Board. She left these roles in 2018.
Qualifications
- BSc (Hons) Pharmacology1981 - University of Aberdeen
- PhD Clinical Pharmacology1985 - University of Aberdeen
- Certificate Professional Management2003 - The Open UniversityAwarded a NHS Bursary to complete this course
External Memberships
In 2018, Kim was appointed Director of Journals on the Association for Study of Medical Education (ASME) Board. In 2019, Kim was appointed Director of Publications on the ASME Board. She has responsibility for the Journals, Medical Education and The Clinical Teacher together with the text books Understanding Medical Education and Researching Medical Education.
Kim has been an Educational Associate with the GMC for over 6 years particularly in Quality Management.
Latest Publications
Clinician-educators; how do we engage the non-engagers?
The Clinical TeacherContributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/tct.70267
It is those little basic things for people which make a big difference: how can we make this happen
The Clinical TeacherContributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/tct.70265
Physician Associates: the future, navigating opportunities and a way forward
The Clinical TeacherContributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/tct.70266
A systematic review of comprehensive Robotic-assisted surgical (RAS) curricula
Journal of robotic surgeryContributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11701-025-02962-6
Expert consensus on best content of a robotic surgical curriculum: a systematic review
Journal of robotic surgery, vol. 19, 721Contributions to Journals: Articles
Prizes and Awards
2017 - Scholarship Award - NHS Education for Scotland
2022 - Research in Medical Education - NHS Education for Scotland
2023 - President's Medal - Association for the Study of Medical Education
- Research
-
Research Overview
Kim's main research interests are related to selection and assessment and career decision making in both undergraduates and postgraduates, especially the early years. More recently, Kim has developed an interest in training for the future generations and how learning and teaching needs to adapt to each the new generation who have different learning styles and values. More recently she has been investigating doctors wellbeing especially during Covid-19 pandemic.
Kim has experience of both quantitative and qualitative research and has supervised honours students as well as Ph.D students.
Research Areas

Current Research
CSO Covid 19 rapid research study - To develop evidence-based interventions to support doctors’ well-being and promote resilience during COVID-19 related transitions (and beyond).
UKMED study - "Investigating associations of post-graduate examination performance with socio-demographic characteristics, performance at medical school, medical school, SJT, and foundation school: a focus on first stage examinations of MRCP, MRCGP and MRCPsych."
Royal College of Surgeons - "The ‘Improving Surgical Training’ pilot: A mixed methods comparative evaluation of the Scottish experience."
SMERC - "Enhancing the quality and safety of care through training generalist doctors: a longitudinal, mixed-methods study of broad-based training programmes in Scotland and Northern Ireland. "
SMERC - "An activity theory exploration of faculty development in three Scottish Medical Schools"
Research Fellowship: - Training for future generations
Collaborations
NHS Education for Scotland
University of Edinburgh
UKMED
Royal college of Surgeons
NHS Grampian
All medical schools in Scotland - Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, St Andrews
- Teaching
-
Teaching Responsibilities
Kim teaches on the postgraduate Clinical Education courses and is the main examiner for the M.Sc. dissertations.
Kim has recently co-edited and published the book "Starting Research in Clinical Education" which is a key text for new researchers especially those undertaking an intercalated degree or a postgraduate qualification.
- Publications
-
Page 1 of 2 Results 1 to 50 of 81
Clinician-educators; how do we engage the non-engagers?
The Clinical TeacherContributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/tct.70267
It is those little basic things for people which make a big difference: how can we make this happen
The Clinical TeacherContributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/tct.70265
Physician Associates: the future, navigating opportunities and a way forward
The Clinical TeacherContributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/tct.70266
A systematic review of comprehensive Robotic-assisted surgical (RAS) curricula
Journal of robotic surgeryContributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11701-025-02962-6
Expert consensus on best content of a robotic surgical curriculum: a systematic review
Journal of robotic surgery, vol. 19, 721Contributions to Journals: ArticlesBurnout, wellbeing and resilience of healthcare workers in the post-COVID world
Frontiers Media SA, Lausanne. 198 pagesBooks and Reports: Books- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/978-2-8325-6873-6
Editorial: Burnout, Wellbeing and Resilience of Healthcare Workers in the Post-Covid World.
Frontiers in Medicine, vol. 12, 1679590Contributions to Journals: EditorialsPersonalised Continuing Professional Development of Healthcare Professionals: a scoping review
AMEE 2025Contributions to Conferences: PostersInvestigating discrepancies in perceptions regarding the provision of hospital rest and relaxation spaces in Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond: a qualitative study.
BMJ Open, vol. 15, no. 8, e096154Contributions to Journals: Articles"I'd keep going until somebody said no and nobody ever said no": exploring identity strengths amongst medical students from widening participation backgrounds
Frontiers in Medicine, vol. 12, 1530738Contributions to Journals: ArticlesSurviving and Thriving in Medicine: Developing Theory-Based Interventions for Students From Widening Access Backgrounds
The Clinical Teacher, vol. 22, no. 3, e70076Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/tct.70076
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/f93c8be3-f070-42fe-8b73-51cd3b29582d/download
Enabling and inhibiting doctors transitions: introducing the social identity resource and belonginess model (SIRB)
Advances in Health Sciences Education, vol. 30, pp. 475-496Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10459-024-10360-0
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/20150e6d-f2d9-4088-9122-03f7f5215aab/download
- [ONLINE] https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10459-024-10360-0?utm_source=rct_congratemailt&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=oa_20240724&utm_content=10.1007%2Fs10459-024-10360-0#Fun
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Rapid Response: Re: Physician associates and anaesthetic associates in UK: rapid systematic review of recent UK based research
BMJ, vol. 388, pp. e084613Contributions to Journals: Comments and DebatesBig data analysis: examination of the relationship between candidates’ sociodemographic characteristics and performance in the UK’s Membership of the Royal College of Physicians Part 1 examination
Advances in Health Sciences Education, vol. 30, pp. 53-68Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10459-024-10406-3
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/49af541b-06e1-47fc-b725-9c21aba0ac69/download
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Heard, valued, supported? Exploring the relationship between evidence and the policy on workforce learning
The Clinical Teacher, vol. 21, no. S2, pp. 21Contributions to Journals: AbstractsStaying in and getting on:: Developing strategies to support widening access students in their medical studies.
The Clinical Teacher, vol. 21, no. S2, pp. 50Contributions to Journals: Abstracts- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/tct.13813
Staying and getting on:: Developing strategies to support widening access students in their medical studies
Contributions to Conferences: PapersThe power of animation: encouraging doctors to access support for psychological wellbeing
BMC Psychology, vol. 12, pp. 1-12Contributions to Journals: ArticlesStarting Research in Clinical Education
Wiley-Blackwell, UK. 296 pagesBooks and Reports: BooksSocial identity resources can enable or inhibit transitions into the medical community: A qualitative study
ASME ASM 2023 - Developing a diverse workforce, pp. 57Contributions to Journals: Abstracts- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/tct.13657
- [ONLINE] Conference Book of Abstracts
Creating an ecosystem for learning: the case for integrating new training developments with existing processes
7th International Association for Health Professions Education's PostContributions to Conferences: PostersIntegrating simulation into surgical training: a qualitative case study of a national programme
Advances in Simulation, vol. 8, 20Contributions to Journals: ArticlesContext matters in curriculum reform: an analysis of change in surgical training
Medical Education, vol. 57, no. 8, pp. 741-752Contributions to Journals: ArticlesScratching beneath the surface: how organisational culture influences curricular reform
Medical Education, vol. 57, no. 7, pp. 668-678Contributions to Journals: Articles‘Here I am five years later…’: conceptualising the barriers faced by widening access students
Contributions to Conferences: Oral Presentations- [ONLINE] HETL 2023
- [ONLINE] Book of abstracts
It's making me think outside the box at times: a qualitative study of dynamic capabilities in surgical training.
Advances in Health Sciences Education, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 499-518Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10459-022-10170-2
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/d123a170-691d-4ace-904b-14908d6ef2ec/download
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Rest and relaxation spaces: Accessibility and availability for wellbeing of doctors
Contributions to Journals: Conference Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/tct.13542
Scotland's improving surgical training (IST) pilot: a tale of two cultural webs
International Conference on Surgical Education and Training (ICOSET) 2022, pp. 117Contributions to Journals: Abstracts- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/tct.13542
- [ONLINE] ICOSET 2022
Rest & Relaxation Spaces: Accessibility and availability for the wellbeing of doctors
Contributions to Conferences: PapersScotland's Improving Surgical Training (IST) pilot: a tale of two cultural webs
International Conference on Surgical Education and Training (ICOSET) 2022Contributions to Conferences: PostersHeard, valued, supported?: Doctors' wellbeing during transitions triggered by COVID-19
Medical Education, vol. 56, no. 5, pp. 516-526Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/medu.14698
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/6f9f363e-8163-4042-bec2-46a27e222d3d/download
- [ONLINE] https://risweb.st-andrews.ac.uk/portal/en/researchoutput/heard-valued-supported-doctors-wellbeing-during-transitions-triggered-by-covid19(2e1d70ce-8c2e-4fd4-b6bb-0d243d034587).html
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Supporting doctors' well-being and resilience during COVID-19: A framework for rapid and rigorous intervention development
Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 236-251Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12300
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/4525261f-7747-4431-973f-06b97cd1f2e8/download
- [ONLINE] https://risweb.st-andrews.ac.uk/portal/en/researchoutput/supporting-doctors-wellbeing-and-resilience-during-covid19(b2c2b13a-8f70-4330-985a-7f9778a639e6).html
How can inhabited institutionalism inform the analysis of medical education
Medical Education, vol. 55, no. 12, pp. 1363-1368Contributions to Journals: ArticlesProfessionalism Disrupted
ASME Annual Scholarship Meeting 2021, pp. 28Contributions to Journals: Abstracts- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/tct.13424
Trusting judgements: A new approach to progression without the numeric scale
ASME Annual Scholarship Meeting 2021, pp. 8-10Contributions to Journals: Comments and Debates- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/tct.13420_4
Navigating surgical training: A game of trust
ASME Annual Scholarship Meeting 2021, pp. 28Contributions to Journals: Abstracts- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/tct.13424
Navigating surgical training: a game of trust
Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland (ASGBI) Future Surgery conference 2021, znab361.027Contributions to Journals: Abstracts- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/bjs/znab361.027
Interventions for the well-being of healthcare workers during a pandemic or other crisis: scoping review
BMJ Open, vol. 11, no. 8, e047498Contributions to Journals: ArticlesWhat is being done to look after doctors during covid-19 and beyond?
BMJ OpinionContributions to Journals: Comments and DebatesWhat is being done to look after doctors' wellbeing during Covid-19 and beyond
Non-textual Forms: Web Publications and WebsitesToday's doctors: What do men and women value in a training post?
Medical Education, vol. 54, no. 5, pp. 408-418Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/medu.14151
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Are there differences between those doctors who apply for a training post in Foundation Year 2 and those who take time out of the training pathway?: A UK multicohort study
BMJ Open, vol. 9, no. 11, e032021Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032021
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/4f6d734c-b1d6-4a5c-9796-d6045817ef8c/download
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Does initial postgraduate career intention and social demographics predict perceived career behaviour?: A national cross-sectional survey of UK postgraduate doctors
BMJ Open, vol. 9, no. 8, e026444Contributions to Journals: ArticlesTraining for future generations
British Journal of Hospital Medicine, vol. 80, no. 6, pp. 306-307Contributions to Journals: Editorials- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.12968/hmed.2019.80.6.306
Relationship between sociodemographic factors and specialty destination of UK trainee doctors: A national cohort study
BMJ Open, vol. 9, no. 3, e026961Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026961
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/733ed3b1-132b-4987-af71-c3597b1fc9d7/download
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
- [ONLINE] View publication in Mendeley
What factors are critical to attracting NHS foundation doctors into specialty or core training
Asia Pacific Medical Education ConferenceContributions to Conferences: PostersLay Representatives:: What difference do they make?
An International Association for Medical Education (AMEE) conference, Vienna, Austria 2019.Contributions to Conferences: PostersGeographical mobility of UK trainee doctors, from family home to first job: a national cohort study
BMC Medical Education, vol. 18, 314Contributions to Journals: ArticlesRelationship between sociodemographic factors and selection into UK postgraduate medical training programmes: a national cohort study
BMJ Open, vol. 8, no. 6, e021329Contributions to Journals: ArticlesDoes perceived organisational support influence career intentions?: The qualitative stories shared by UK early career doctors
BMJ Open, vol. 8, no. 6, e022833Contributions to Journals: Articles