How the SAS fund has benefited SAS doctors

How the SAS fund has benefited SAS doctors: Journey of a Research project with/on SAS Funding Dr Anthea Mowat ULHT SAS Tutor

The start Appointed as SAS Tutor in 2009 Encouraged to undertake PG qualification Realisation that evidence would be needed to ensure continuation of SAS funding in future

Next steps Distance learning Modular course with University of Dundee started Jan 2010 Certificate completed June 2011 Diploma completed April 2012 Masters proposal accepted May 2012 Graduated Nov 2013

Proposal Knowledge of, Use of and Perceived Benefits from the SAS career Development funding by SAS grade staff in the East Midlands Deanery

Delays Ethics approval given by Dundee University Local R&D dept confirmed that as it is survey it did not require ethics approval BUT. . . Expectation that ethics approval (26 page form) be given to enable indemnity for contacting NHS staff Process of ethics application to final local approval took 3 months!!!

Meanwhile. . Focus group used to look at areas to be surveyed Survey piloted with SAS staff not in EMD Survey hosted by Bristol-on-Line surveys: secure storage of data Survey sent to SAS staff in EMD via SAS Tutors, and via medical Directors of Trusts with no Tutor

Results Some staff may not have received link to survey, esp if not accessing emails Response rate 17. 9% (BMA survey earlier in year got 6% response rate) SAS staff who agreed to undertake a telephone follow-up interview have been contacted Some SAS Tutors have also given short update on their views of funding use

Results : Grade

Results : Gender

Results : Awareness 87. 9% aware of existence of funding and of appointment of SAS Tutor 72. 6% aware of Trust utilising funding

Generic courses Awareness of generic courses run with funding ◦ 70. 2% within own Trust ◦ 60. 5% within other Trust ◦ 46% within Deanery ◦ 27. 4% by Colleges 74. 2% attended a generic course 28. 7% attended to help with CESR

Perception of benefits of generic courses

Individual funding Awareness of provision 60. 5% aware ◦ 84. 8% by Trust ◦ 39. 3% by Deanery 53% applied ◦ 44 applied, 40 successful ◦ 33% applications to help with CESR 54. 8% considering applying in future

Uses for individual funding

Perceived benefits of individual funding award

Study leave 91. 9% taken study leave in previous 12 months. Range 0 -30 days Most common were 4 days and 10 days Mean 6. 9 days 77. 4% aware of annual budget

What then ? Results are analysed Initial concern from Dundee re potential lack of literature for search Over 70 refs found (very few via medline, ovid etc) Completed and evidence used as part of info for LETB, but sadly no funding to Trusts in East Midlands