Since volunteering to serve as Vice-Chairman of the BGS Trainees group, I have attended the BGS Academic and Research Committee meeting in my capacity as trainees’ representative.
One of the issues discussed was the promotion of academic geriatric medicine. At present, a lunchtime session, “Meet the Researchers/ Research Surgeries”, is held at the national BGS meetings. It was introduced in April 2002 for SpRs who are interested in research, to enable them to meet researchers and talk about how to get started. I attended the first session in Telford and it certainly lifted my spirits and boosted my enthusiasm for research. Feedback received so far has been good and these sessions will continue. The scientific meetings also continue to provide an opportunity for us to present our work. |
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Research
workshops
The Academic & Research (A&R) Committee plans to continue six-monthly
research workshops (jointly organised by the BGS and Research into Ageing
(RIA)). I attended the first workshop in May 2003 and found it immensely
useful. I also had the opportunity to meet colleagues from different regions
and I would strongly recommend this to anyone contemplating a period of
research.
The A&R Committee also encourages trainees to compete for funding from other bodies such as the MRC, Wellcome Trust, Alzheimer’s Research Trust, etc.
| Looking
ahead Considering how we might promote academic geriatric medicine, there may be merit in convening an informal group. In this forum we could share ideas, support each other and perhaps set up collaborative work. It would be a vehicle for encouraging and contributing original knowledge to our specialty, understanding the research papers which inform clinical practice, and supervising and conducting ongoing research projects as consultants. |
Funding opportunities for trainees from the BGS are: (1) Dhole Fellowship, which is now jointly funded by RIA and the BGS. It provides £25k per annum for three years. (2) SpR Start-up Grant to support initial phase or small-scale research (maximum £2.5k) with a view of obtaining external grants subsequently. |
Academic
department profiles
One initiative being taken forward by the Trainees Committee’s members
and some of the regional representatives, is the compilation of a national
database and website for all BGS trainees who are either interested in
doing research or who are currently research active. The website will
include details of academic departments and their interests, advice on
how to start out in research, together with contact details of academics
who are willing to give advice and help. The Scottish
BGS website’s Academic Centres section provides a good template.
Miles Witham and I have included a questionnaire with this edition of the Newsletter (trainees only); please fill it in and return it in the freepost envelope provided. We aim to give trainees interested in pursuing research as much support and guidance as we can. Everybody should benefit from this initiative and no one should feel unsupported or left out. We would welcome any thoughts and suggestions from trainees and BGS members.
We wish you all a happy and successful year ahead.
Phyo K Myint
Vice Chairman - BGS Trainees Group