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Academic General Practice

Lack of a clear career structure is a strong disincentive to the young generalist. Not only is there a lack of appropriately resourced research environments in which to train but there is also continued difficulty in recruiting high class senior academic staff in general practice. In part, this reflects the status of full time university clinical academics in general practice, which is usually perceived as inferior to that of academic specialist colleagues, a problem compounded by current ineligibility for merit awards.

The lack of flexibility in academic general practice derives particularly from difficulties in retaining principal status while pursuing an academic career. The apparent lack of support from the Medical Practices Committee exacerbates this situation.

Academy of Medical Sciences response to Unfinished Business

The Academy of Medical Sciences agrees that the SHO grade is in need of reform and development. It notes the omission of any consideration of trainees who plan a career in academic medicine... We start from the premise that academic medical staff are essential to the NHS in their roles as leaders and providers of medical education and research. Just as in any other branch of medicine, academic medical staff require specific training programmes that integrate clinical, teaching and research training.

We propose a training programme for those who are committed to a career in academic medicine. The essence of such training is the requirement for flexibility and for progress to be measured by attainment of skills and expertise, rather than by the time-served mechanism that currently dominates medical training. This approach places new demands on both trainees and trainers to demonstrate that specific skills and competencies have been acquired. The Academy of Medical Sciences proposes that the Postgraduate Medical Education and Standards Board develops a subgroup with specific expertise and sympathy for the supervisory oversight of the training of academics.

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