Hosting an AF can afford a practice the chance to develop systems and services for their local population that might not otherwise have arisen because of the day to day demands within a modern GP surgery. The three sessions of clinical work offered by the AF should free time to allow partners to design, implement and evaluate these developments. Furthermore, the AF is available for one further session to contribute to either this Practice Development Plan or pursue other areas of practice development, as agreed with the practice. The programme lasts for two years; Fellows will be based for a year each in two different practices. Of note, of the seven AFs who have completed the scheme, two have taken partnership in practices where they were placed during their two years and five other GPs continue to work as a salaried / sessional /OOH / UPC doctors in South Wales. The scheme has been highly valued by practices and Fellows alike. Please take a look at the testimonials page for more.
A full time AF will be based in Swansea University Medical School for three days a week and for the other two days will be based in a GP practice. Rural practices, practices in deprived areas or practices in need will be considered from Hywel Dda University Health Board, Powys Teaching Health Board or Swansea Bay University Health Board. If a participating practice is further afield than an AF might reasonably be expected to commute to and from, there is financial help available to AFs to find accommodation (assuming the two clinical days are consecutive). Funding is also available for applicants to wishing to pursue higher qualifications, e.g. a postgraduate diploma / masters’ degree in medical education or MD / MSc by research.
A practice which has applied to host an AF will need to be evaluated prior to recruitment to the scheme. To be successful, certain criteria have to be met and specific agreements need to have been made:
- The practice is in an area of rurality or an area of deprivation / need.
- The practice demonstrates adequate training and evidence of ongoing supervision of performance.
- The attachment is to help promote practice development not augment service provision.
- All doctors in the practice must be aware of the scheme and be prepared to provide clinical support to the AF. A contract between Swansea University Medical School and the practice must be signed.
- No attachment will take place without completion of satisfactory documentation.
- The standard attachment period is 12 months.
- After an AF attachment, practices will have 6months break from the scheme.
- Practices are encouraged to develop an interest in medical student teaching.
PRACTICE RECRUITMENT PROCESS
- Practice approaches Swansea University Medical School.
- Swansea University Medical School sends eligibility questionnaire and information.
- If eligibility questionnaire approved, up to two months prior to possible attachment start, Swansea University Medical School sends Initial Practice Development Plan (PDP).
- PDP developed with and for the Academic Fellow and submitted for approval.
- Introductory visit by AF and by Director: attachment discussed, and contract signed.
- AF starts in post.
- 3-month review of PDP: practice self-reporting, AF feedback (Practice organisation, clinical support, and perceived use of AF time by the Practice), and practice visit by Director.
- 6-month review of PDP: practice self-reporting and AF feedback.
If you are a GP interested in applying to become an Academic Fellow or you represent a practice which may like to host an Academic Fellow, we would love to hear from you.
CONTACTÂ US
