Medical academics
Academic GPs play a substantial part in the SAPC community, combining clinical practice as a GP with a career in research or education, and have made important contributions to evidence-based practice and policy for many years.
What do academic GPs do?
General practice is a scientific discipline at the heart of decision-making in NHS, where the vast majority of common and long-term medical problems are managed and where public health and health promotion interface with clinical care. The RCGP recognises adoption of a critical and research-based approach to practice as an essential requirement for being a GP.
Academic GPs take this further, by specialising in research and education within the discipline. Some academic GPs have worked for years solely as clinicians before transitioning to academic practice, and others have taken a range of flexible routes into the career. The most common approach nowadays is to follow one of the established training programmes which integrate academic and clinical training, often starting with an Academic Clinical Fellow position, progressing through a doctoral fellowship, and finally completing a clinical lectureship role.
In addition to undertaking important research and education that progresses evidence-based primary care practice and policy, academic GPs are frequently leaders within the discipline of general practice and make important contributions as heads of departments.
How can SAPC support me?
SAPC can help you to pursue a career as an academic GP in a number of ways. Whilst combined research training in general practice has developed strongly and consistently over the last decade, compared to other medical specialities, research capacity remains relatively modest. In addition, there arguably remains a degree of disconnect between academic and clinical general practice that is not as evident in other medical disciplines. This can present important challenges for career progression, which SAPC can offer help to overcome.
Academic GP departments
All UK medical schools have a department of general practice, and most are represented by the SAPC Heads of Department group, ensuring expertise and opportunities are shared across institutions
Teaching
Many academic GPs make important contributions to medical education. Our Heads of Teaching group drives university-based primary care teaching, providing a valuable network to support those pursing a pedagogical career
Networking
Being a member of SAPC provides unprecedented access to benefit from the wealth of experience of senior academic GPs, as well as the opportunity to share with and learn from colleagues at similar career stages
Mentoring
The SAPC mentorship scheme allows our members to benefit from independent guidance and advice from senior academic GPs who have substantial experience navigating what can be a challenging career path
Resources
As well as the expertise of our departments and individual members, SAPC provides access to guidance on academic training programmes, fellowships and other funding, leadership opportunities and other sources of support
Advocacy
Through both its HoDs and HoTs groups, and our close links to the professional body the RCGP, SAPC is a powerful advocate for improved academic GP training and capacity within universities, postgraduate deaneries and the wider NHS