Aberdeen Clinical Academic Training (ACAT)

Aberdeen Clinical Academic Training (ACAT)

Why should you consider an academic career?Alison Teo

For the majority of clinicians, promotion of health and contributing to the provision of excellent medical care are principal career aims. It is only through research that our understanding of the pathophysiology of disease can be enhanced and new treatments and improved health care delivery introduced and validated. The importance of clinical research is recognised formally by the General Medical Council in their publication on collaborative principles to promote participation in research.

Training of a high quality medical workforce of the future requires teachers/educators with the skills in the design and delivery of curricula which must evolve to keep pace with medical progress. Many clinicians have some research and teaching roles which form a substantial component of the work of clinical academics, alongside their clinical duties.

This makes for a challenging, exciting and fulfilling career with increased opportunities to contribute both to medical progress and the career development of others.

When should you enter academic training?

In recent years academic training pathways have become more structured. Whilst a move into an academic programme is possible at various stages in postgraduate training, specialised academic foundation programmes provide a very attractive entry point. These SFP rotations are well designed and provide experience at first hand the wide-ranging research and teaching activities which take place in academic units, whilst simultaneously undertaking postgraduate clinical training.

Medical students in Aberdeen also has opportunities to gain experience in clinical academia through various undergraduate research scholarship programmes.

There are also further opportunities to compete for Academic Core Training Programme after foundation years. We strongly encourage core trainees who wish to pursue clinical academic career locally to explore options for SCREDS Clinical Lecturer Programme early in their core training programme. Doctors who are interested in clinical teaching and medical education may also consider opportunities to undertake a two year Clinical Lectureship (Scholarship).

Our well designed academic programmes ranging from undergraduate scholarships to SCREDS Clinical Lecturer programme provide excellent infrastructure and foundation which give ample opportunities to develop a clinical academic career.

Who do we wish to attract to our academic programme?

A career as a clinical academic has variety and is hugely satisfying, but is challenging also. Our programme aims to enthuse ambitious and high achieving medical graduates, to impart the career satisfaction associated with research and teaching and to provide a sound basis for further academic training. In short, we want them to have “the best of both worlds”.

We are looking for high achieving individuals who have a desire for their clinical skills and academic attributes to be developed to the highest level.