OOPR MD GETTING STARTED Tasneem Khatib ST 5

OOPR MD – GETTING STARTED Tasneem Khatib ST 5 Ophthalmology HEEo. E Ophthalmology Research/ARCP Study Day 21 st June 2019

OUTLINE • WHY? : Should I take time out? • WHEN? : When’s the best time for OOPR? • WHAT? : How should I decide what topic to research? • WHO/WHERE? : Picking a supervisor • HOW? : I’m keen! What should I do next? • Making the most out of OOPR

WHY? : Should I take time out? Don’t do it! Well actually… “Academics don’t make good clinicians/surgeons” Fantastic academic clinical mentors – world leaders with game-changing research…and the only way for the field to move forwards. Unique perspective “You’re prolonging your training” Training never ends! “You’re prolonging the time to consultant salary” Clinical salary. Worth the investment. “You’ll easily get a job without a research degree…you don’t need to do it” Problem solving/Transferable skills. Networking. New job opportunities “You’ll lose your surgical skills” MD structure very flexible. Very supportive return to programme. Videos. Simulator. Manual dexterity maintained. New mindset. “You’ll be overqualified. . . it’ll restrict where you can apply for a job” Problem solving/Transferable skills. Networking. New job opportunities “You don’t need to do a degree to do research” Leading a project. Troubleshooting. Developing own ideas. Bigger projects. New disciplines “I’ll let other people figure it out and tell me what to implement in my practice” Need to be able to critically appraise the evidence.

WHEN? : When’s the best time for OOPR? • No right time. Juggle with other responsibilities. • ST 4/5: • Have had time to figure out what interests you • Still have a few years left in clinical training on return to programme to: • get back up to speed • write up papers before fellowship/consultant applications • Get your exams out of the way • Demonstrate a good level of clinical competence…make it easy for your TPD/deanery to agree to OOPR

WHAT? : How should I decide what topic to research? Anterograde axonal transport Brain ONH My experimental chapter titles: Clinical need for new glaucoma therapies � Optimising a gene therapy for glaucoma and barriers to translation � Manipulating the neurodegenerative process � Restoring function in experimental glaucoma � Optic nerve regeneration in experimental glaucoma � Noninvasive imaging and quantification of human aqueous outflow

WHO/WHERE? : Picking a supervisor • Someone you feel you can approach easily • a dynamic that works for one won’t necessarily work for another • need to feel able to discuss failures (as well as successes!) with them • Proven track record in taking students to completion • Recent publication record • Can open doors for you in the future • Integrity – scientific rigour and that you can see gives credit where it’s due • Life-long mentor

HOW? : I’m keen! What should I do next? “tips for doing an OOPR MD: do it. ” “experience: incredible. learnt so much and loved doing it. ” “hurdles: finding an alternative solutions to insurmountable hurdles was the best bit. ” • Discuss possibility with TPD and ES • HEEo. E OOP application • 6 months notice (including 3 months notice to current Trust) • Final authorisation must be obtained from the HEE local team prior to leaving the programme. • Must have completed at least one year of OST

Essential Supporting Documents • A brief overview of planned activities whilst out of programme must be submitted with ALL OOP applications. • The following documents are also required depending on what OOP category the trainee is applying for: • OOPR with time to count to CCT (up to 6 months) • - Letter supporting time to count from Royal College of Ophthalmologists • - Job Description and/or Research Proposal • OOPR without time to count: - Job Description and/or Research Proposal

• Registering the MD: • Contact Medical School • Local letter of support/recommendation from Senior Tutor • Submit proposal for review by the DM committee • Termly reports – and then fully registered after 1 year with confirmation of status report. • Typically 5 years permitted for completion (usually 2 years full time OOPR) • Viva and thesis.

Making the most out of OOPR • Be realistic in how much you want to do. • Be organised • Clinical research requiring ethics - start early as this can take months e. g. sponsorship reviews, amendments, ethics reviews. • Lab work – Home Office licence • Need strong internal drive and motivation • Expect failure!

• Do admin/paperwork/data entry regularly. • Set aside time to keep up to date with the latest research. • Be prepared to work evenings and weekends. • Make yourself available to participants if they have any concerns • Expect to spend a fair amount of time communicating with patients/their families in person or over the phone (e. g. during recruitment, if any complications). • You may well work independently a lot of the time but also lead teams that comprise clinical and non-clinical staff.

Communicate your research!

Thanks for your input!