My journey into academic general practice Robert Barker GP partner, Corbridge Medical Group GP Clinical Research Fellow, Newcastle University robert.barker@newcastle.ac.uk

Integrated GP and academic training My timeline Integrated GP and academic training Academic GP NIHR Fellowship Early clinical days 2007 2013 2017 2018 2020 Completion of medical degree

Early clinical days 100% clinical work not the best thing for patients (or me/family) Ad hoc research involvement I wanted variety

Integrated GP & academic training 50:50 split – academic and clinical Funded by GP training scheme MSc Public Health, dissertation Research team involvement

The last year… 2.5 days GP partner, Corbridge Health Centre 2.5 days GP Clinical Research Fellow NIHR SPCR funded Publication record enhanced Care home lead: twice monthly MDTs Epidemiology course, 2 weeks

Coming up next… ‘Health and wellbeing of older adults in care homes: What can we learn from existing longitudinal studies?’ NIHR In-practice fellowship, 2 years pre-doctoral Are ‘track and trigger’ systems good NEWS for care home residents? A mixed methods study. ‘A realist synthesis and economic evaluation of the impact of advance care planning at the end of life’

What it brings to me… Variety, different way of thinking: zooming in and out 2. Flexibility Own interests & ideas Schedule, work-life balance 3. Build research networks, conferences

Challenges Different skill set Separation of roles requires discipline Time management

Integrated GP and academic training Academic GP NIHR Fellowship Early clinical days 2007 2013 2017 2018 2020 Completion of medical degree Yerrakalva, D. How to launch a career in academic general practice. BMJ 2016;352:i1539

Key messages A different dimension to the week It is an exciting time for primary care research