University of St Andrews

School of Medicine clinical & research careers project

  • Location of study: University of St Andrews, University of Cambridge
  • First interested in research: 1st year medical student, with lecturer involved in research on cancer biomarkers, was still involved in 2nd year and in 3rd year did her dissertation
  • Research throughout training:
    • Cambridge (student selected components)
    • Specialised foundation programme in Edinburgh
    • Academic General Practice Training through SCREDS (Scottish Clinical Research Excellence Development Scheme)
  • Current specialisation: GP, started in January as a Clinical and Communication skills teacher at the University of St Andrews and will start research time
  • Field of research: poor prognosis cancer, health data science, interested in palliative care, qualitative
  • PhD:  part-time while in GP training, 6 years rather than 3
  • Attitudes towards this type of job: it may feel like you are never in both places, regularity of GP schedule aided integration of research in career
  • Current week rota: Mon-Tue clinical work, Wed-Fri in University
  • Advice: Get involved early, try to find the right methodology and support!
Dr Sarah Mills
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