Issue 9 (PDF 1.26 mb) - Bournemouth University

Where will medical
research fit in the
University?
Medical research will link the existing
University research groups in Biomedical
Science and Bio-engineering with three
new research groupings: Clinical Research
including clinical trials and patientbased
studies; Statistical and Research
Methodology Support from the Dorset
Research and Development Support Group;
and Research Governance.
Bournemouth University Professors
Ahmed Khattab and Denzil Claremont will
continue to lead the respective existing
groups. Dr David Kerr, Consultant Physician
at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, and
Professor Peter Thomas, Professor of
Medical Statistics and Epidemiology at
the University, will lead the Clinical and
Research Support groups. The research
governance managers from local NHS
Trusts are working on the form and
leadership of the fifth group.
What about medical
education?
In view of the increasing competition for
training places resulting from the new
pathways generated by Modernising
Medical Careers and the reduction in
funding available for postgraduate medical
education, there is considerable potential
for developing accredited courses linked to
training for local doctors, from qualification
through the training grades and beyond.
Doctors are likely to self fund. The courses
will need to be of high quality, relevant to
the doctors' training, flexible and result in
tangible higher degrees.
The Clinical Tutors and Foundation
Directors from local NHS Acute,
Community and Primary Care Trusts,
representatives from the South West
Strategic Health Authority Deanery and
Bournemouth University, as the Education
Steering Committee, are actively pursuing
these exciting developments. Current
initiatives include the joint delivery of
projects for MSc Healthcare students by
clinical tutors and University lecturers
of the Foundation Year 2 Generic Skills
curriculum, jointly supervised by local
research active projects and University
academics, the development of
Certificate/Diploma/MAs linked to training
for local doctors; and PhD studentships.
Paul Thompson
Director of the Centre of Postgraduate
Medical Research and Education
paul.thompson@bournemouth.ac.uk
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