My journey into academic general practice Robert Barker

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

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

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… 1. 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 Early clinical days 2007 Completion of medical degree 2013 Academic GP 2017 NIHR Fellowship 2018 Yerrakalva, D. How to launch a career in academic general practice. BMJ 2016; 352: i 1539 2020

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