| The thought of doing research never occurred to me until I had passed my membership examination. Then what! I was encouraged by my educational supervisor to get involved in a small research project.
I did it, not because I was particularly enthused by notion of research, but because I knew that he was right (after all I need to put something a little extra on my CV to be competitive for SpR interviews). I managed to survive the painfully boring business of data collection over the next three months and the results of the study was published a year later as an abstract (1/4 size of A4 page, with my name as third author). Only then, did I realise how much effort and dedication a researcher has to put into his/her work. To my surprise, I lost count of how many times I read my first (little) abstract. Whenever I read it, the sense of accomplishment I experience is indescribable.
This project was followed by a more enthusiastic approach towards thinking about and finding something to work on. I found the process mentally stimulating. My new found enthusiasm was well received and supported by my consultants at that time. During my early years as an SpR, I was landed with a project on primary brain tumours, awaiting analysis and writing up. By the time the paper was published 2 years later, I had made my mind up that I wished to contribute to medical literature throughout my career. At the same time, I realised the importance of being able to supervise a project in addition to being at the coalface of the research process. This was brought home to me by the realisation that I would not have managed to get the paper published without my consultant’s supervision. She herself had undergone a period of research training had published papers in peer reviewed journals. I believe the ability to supervise on a research project is one of the essential requirements of “a consultant to be”, although this conviction may not be shared by everyone.
For those who are determined to have some research experience
- Go for it, you will never regret it
- It is a combination of effort, luck and knowledge (who to approach, how and when)
- Have a clear idea which is more important to you between the training you will receive and being able to do your own (pet) project, before applying for a research job
- Don’t be discouraged by the lack of idea – it will come to you when you are in the right learning environment with the support of a good supervisor
For those who are not sure
- Think twice - How would you deal with your trainee when s/he approaches you to supervise a project?
- It is never late- make a start today
- Try it first, before saying never – like me you may become “a total convert!”
For those who are definitely not interested
- Try to appreciate and support what academics are doing
- There are a lot of opportunities to get involved in clinical research in collaboration with clinical academics
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Preparing myself
Realising that I wished to get proper research training, I explored means of improving my understanding of research methodologies and statistical methods. I read books on the subject, attended statistics courses locally, and research workshops organised by the BGS Academic and Research Committee (meet the researcher, getting started with research workshop etc), and needless to say, I emailed and travelled throughout the country in an attempt to find a research project and a supervisor (with some unsuccessful interviews to show for my efforts!).
Opportunity strikes
I won the professional lottery when I was offered my current job to work with the research team of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer - Norfolk (EPIC-Norfolk) population based study. Although the funding was initially for a year, I was fortunate enough to be supported for a further 6 months, allowing me to obtain an MD degree.
The personal and professional benefits
I am thoroughly enjoying my out of programme experience. I am getting used to, and even quite like, the lifestyle of cogitating over a first sentence to the introduction of my research paper while sitting in a café watching the world go by. I can now appreciate how academics have to work hard. I had the opportunity to get out of the box (hospital medicine), and enter into a completely different world of primordial and primary prevention in public health and the concept behind it. This has certainly made me a more balanced and thoughtful clinician. I am certain that the experience will help me better understand all aspects of health, not only at individual level but also from a global perspective. I now have the confidence to supervise my junior colleagues in the future. I have gained a considerable amount of new knowledge and scientific thinking, both of which provide a good foundation on which I can build on throughout my future career. I am determined to carry on doing research projects as a clinician. I would think every researcher dreams of a day when s/he can make a real difference to the way we practice medicine. Whether I achieve so lofty an ideal or not, I share the dream of fellow researchers. At the same time, I am happy as long as I am able to contribute to the best of my ability, to the scientific body of medical knowledge. After all, it is the collective body of wisdom and knowledge, contributed by many academics, clinicians and scientists, which has led the practice of medicine to where it is today.
Phyo K Myint
Clinical Research Associate,
University of Cambridge
Honorary Lecturer, School of Medicine, Health Policy and Practice, University of East Anglia
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