BSMS > Research > Primary care and public health > Primary care

Our department and teaching

The department of primary care and public health coordinates general practice, public health and research methods teaching throughout the undergraduate medical curriculum, and offers key statistics and research methods support to staff and students throughout the medical school.

General practice teaching

We provide extra support to students with an interest in primary care and public health to make BSMS the first school in the country for future GPs and public health doctors. A total of 130 local GP practices are actively involved in clinical teaching, such as in the simulated surgeries.

The department hosts NIHR Academic Clinical Fellows in general practice and academic foundation doctors. Our research fellows join an existing enthusiastic research team, contribute to undergraduate teaching and also undertake a Master’s degree in research methods (MRes) as part of their training in academic primary care. We welcome applications for these posts via the National Recruitment Office for GP Training (NRO).

Become a GP teacher

General practitioners interested in teaching without an existing contract with BSMS may be eligible for an honorary academic title. Honorary titles are granted in recognition of sustained involvement in the medical school, including provision of community placements, research collaboration, teaching, student assessment and examination.

Find out how to become a GP Teacher with us >

BACKGROUND IMAGE FOR PANEL

Academic Foundation Posts in GP

The department supervises F2 academic foundation posts (AFP) on a rotating, four month basis. The attachment includes an academic project (research, medical education, academic writing etc) undertaken within the department. We encourage AFP doctors to make contact well in advance of the attachment for planning and ensure that time in post is used effectively. AFP doctors should contact the F2 lead in the department Dr Max Cooper to arrange a meeting to discuss options and learning objectives. This will explore academic project areas that would be best match your plans for academic work to the expertise of members of the department. Prior to this, AFPs should peruse the profiles of staff members within the department to identify potential supervisors.

AFP doctors are encouraged to engage in the wider activities of the department, in particular undergraduate general practice teaching. Undergraduate teaching in general practice typically takes place on tuesdays, thursdays and fridays during term time. Other medical education activities include curriculum meetings, exam boards and student assessment. There is a weekly primary care and public health seminar on Mondays at 13.30 which AFP doctors should attend. Please note that the placement does not include formal clinical general practice.

Academic Clinical Fellows in GP

Academic Clinical Fellows (ACFs) are doctors undertaking an extended training that combines clinical and academic general practice. Clinical training remains the responsibility of Health Education England South East (HEESE) and applications are made through the General Practice National Recruitment Office rather than BSMS. Please note that ACF in General Practice at BSMS typically exist in the form of two posts every other year.

Fellows normally undertake the BSMS Masters in Research. Other BSMS postgraduate courses may be considered although where this is approved fellows are required to fund any tuition fees that exceed those of the MRes. The MRes offers diverse modules (some of which can be taken during study leave during ST1 and ST2 training) and an extended research dissertation. The latter is completed during the two year ST3 period where clinical training is shared with academic work. Fellows are appointed an academic GP supervisor throughout the four year programme who will work closely with the relevant clinical GP trainer.

For further information about ACF at BSMS please contact Professor Harm Van Marwijk.

Research methods teaching and statistics support

Our department oversees the delivery of research methods teaching in the BMBS undergraduate curriculum. This includes lecture based teaching in years 2 and 3, and research methods support for the Individual Research Project module in year 4.

Our statisticians also offer one-to-one support for research staff in the medical school and hospital, helping researchers to design and analyse their clinical research projects.