Transcript The Academic Foundation Programme

MY EXPERIENCE OF THE
ACADEMIC FOUNDATION
PROGRAMME
An insider’s guide to the AFP in North East Scotland
Alison Teo, Core Medical Trainee, Completed Academic Foundation Programme in
North East of Scotland Deanery
January 2014
EARLY STEPS OF MY MEDICAL CAREER
Aberdeen Medical School
Intercalated BScMedSci
(2008-09)
Self-directed 4th Year research project on Poisonings with publication
(2009-10)
5th Year elective project on paediatric burns in South Africa with publication
(2010)
Academic FP
(2011)
WHY I COMPLETED AN ACADEMIC
FOUNDATION PROGRAMME
• To pursue personal interest in medical research
• Opportunity to further develop medical research
skills through completion of a Postgraduate
Certificate
• Opportunity to be advised by a dedicated mentor
throughout the programme
WHAT I DID DURING MY AFP
• Research Project on bacterial diversity in colorectal neoplasia
– Young Investigators Award to give presentation at Japanese Society of
Gastroenterology
• Systematic review on management of thyroid cancer
– Acted as second reviewer for MD project
– Poster presentation at COMET initiative meeting.
• Audits
– Length of patient stay in Acute Medical Admissions Unit
– GP referrals to the DVT clinic
– Need for further surgery after mammoplasty compared with mastectomy
• Set up new student society – Aberdeen Student Society for Academic Medicine
• Completed PgCert in Medical Research Skills
MY MAIN RESEARCH PROJECT
Assessment of bacterial diversity associated with colorectal neoplasia
BACKGROUND
- Polyps have increased inflammatory activity compared to adjacent
normal mucosa (McLean et al, PLoS 2011)
- The aetiology of this inflammation is unknown
- Gut microbiota may play a role in this process
METHOD
- Next generation sequencing of samples from intestinal polyps and
normal mucosa looking at bacterial diversity
OUTCOMES
- Significant microbial dysbiosis occurs in some colorectal polyps and
may play a key role in pathogenesis of colorectal cancer
WHY DID I ENJOY MY AFP
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Individuality
Sense of achievement
You are your own boss – do as much/little research as you want
Flexibility – choose your own projects
No tick-boxes
Everyone is a grown-up
Intellectual challenges
Interactions locally and internationally
Chance to “make a difference”
ADVICE FOR FUTURE AFP DOCTORS
• Take every opportunity to get involved in research you never know where it may lead
• Find a good academic mentor who can offer you
advice and guide you to potential opportunities
• Make your clinical development your priority and the
rest will fall into place