BSG RESEARCH COMMITTEE TiG representative: Stuart Kendrick UPDATES: BSG Research Committee 10th December, 2007. 1. Research networks / Endoscopy research There is encouragement for the development of endoscopy research in the UK, and a suggestion that this can be done more effectively if units work together in regional Endoscopy Research Networks. One of these has been established in the Northern Region and Colin Rees came to introduce it to the committee. By working together, 10-20 units in a region can produce more complex and more informative research projects, and the data collection already in place for the GRS and cancer screening can be fed into this. 2. Case notification projects The current two are still running (drug-related liver injury or hyperplastic polyposis). If you are doing or planning research into GI disease and need to recruit cases of rare conditions nationwide, consider using the case notification system to recruit your cases. Studies can only use the system if they have ethical approval for data collection in this way, but it is becoming apparent that the REC process may go more smoothly if the protocol has been discussed with the Research Committee before submitting for MREC approval. http://www.bsg.org.uk/research/index.html 3. Web directory of research interests This is now online on the BSG website, but the list is not yet complete – it is a resource aimed primarily at SpRs considering doing research. A list of BSG members with an active research interest relevant to Gastro has been made available so you can find someone who might want to supervise a project in your area of interest. There is hope that people interested in supervising endoscopy or educational research will also be included alongside the more traditional academic disciplines. It may eventually also serve as a portal for facilitating mentoring of Gastro trainees with interests in research. http://www.bsg.org.uk/research/database.htm 4. Research for SpRs and careers in academic gastroenterology The BSG, and the Academic Advisory Committee in particular, has been focussing attention on how clinical training requirements will be achieved by trainees in Academic Career Path posts. It has recently been clarified by PMETB that there is not a time served requirement – i.e. if your job is 50% clinical and 50% research, you do not have to stay in post twice as long to get a CCT. During the problems around MTAS this year, the Academic pathway appeared to many trainees to be entirely separate from normal training and inflexible in its structure, and it appears that many doctors have been put off applying for the academic posts because they are worried that the clinical component will not be enough to equip them for work as a NHS consultant and so, if it turns out that a fully academic post is not for them, then they might struggle to get a NHS job. If you are considering an academic career you should be reassured that the Academic Career Pathway is not intended to be a separate track run-through scheme, though it may work that way for some people; it is designed with flexibility so that trainees can move out into standard clinical training, or trainees from the standard stream who have developed an academic interest can apply to postdoctoral Clinical Lecturer posts after they have gained a higher degree. The clinical component of the training is guaranteed separately from the research training, and the clinical posts have been carefully selected and are often some of the best jobs in a region. The regulations about competency-based training mean that it is quite possible to become competent (and even excellent) in the clinical curriculum in a shorter period of time. If more clinical training time is required it can always be allocated after RITA/ARCP. The Tooke Review of MMC (http://www.mmcinquiry.org.uk/draft.htm) means that the structure of training will change again after the 2008 intake, but it is likely that the opportunities for academic careers will become more rather than less flexible. http://www.bsg.org.uk/research/academic.htm 5. Research workshops Two research workshops are planned for the first half of 2008 (liver immunology and C. difficile) and a third (endoscopy research networks) is in the pipeline for later. These are small (~30 attendees), focussed, interactive meetings with high-calibre invited participants. A few places on each workshop are reserved for trainees, and will be advertised soon. http://www.bsg.org.uk/research/meetings.htm 6. CORE research strategy CORE is developing its funding strategy and intends to remain one of the principal sources of funding for Gastro SpRs doing research. The number of applications for some grants studying particular conditions is often small, and with careful thought your project might be able to fit the relevant criteria, so it is worth seeing what fellowships are being advertised – next round will be in spring 2008. http://www.corecharity.org.uk/ 7. Survey of research attitudes among SpRs This has been undertaken by Matthew Brooks, Ed Fogden and Andrew Holt. You may remember filling in the questionnaire that was circulated electronically earlier in the year. The results will be presented in the Academic Careers session on the Tuesday afternoon of the BSG 2008 meeting. 8. BSG Annual Meeting The draft programme for this is now available on the BSG website http://www.bsg.org.uk/pdf_word_docs/bsg_prog08_draft.doc and contains plenty to interest the research-orientated trainee. The TiG Spring Meeting on the Monday evening will focus on out-of-programme experience in all its forms. The Training Programmes for Clinical Academics session on the Tuesday afternoon will be relevant not only to those in Academic Career Pathway posts but also to anyone with an interest in research, covering research training opportunities and integrating research into the Gastroenterology curriculum, as well as the survey mentioned above and presentations from academic trainees who have survived MTAS. The BSG Trainees Section session on the Thursday afternoon will include presentations by a current Academic Career Pathway trainee, a recent recipient of a CORE research fellowship, and a trainee recently returned from a research fellowship overseas. Report of key items from meeting held on January 17, 2007: 1. Case notification projects. There are currently two running, so remember to register cases via the BSG website if your team sees anyone with antimicrobial-related liver injury or hyperplastic polyposis. If you are doing or planning research into GI disease and need to recruit patients nationwide, consider using the case notification system to recruit your cases. 2. Web directory of research interests. This will be a resource aimed primarily at SpRs considering doing research. A list of everyone with an active research interest relevant to Gastro will be collected and made available so you can find someone who might want to supervise a project in your area of interest. 3. Research for SpRs and careers in academic gastroenterology. Current NTN holders can apply for out-of-programme experience to do research. Under MMC there will be an academic career pathway (academic foundation posts and then the so-called Walport scheme of academic clinical fellowships pre-PhD and clinical lectureships post-PhD – see <http://www.bsg.org.uk/research/academic.htm> but this will take only a few trainees each year. Time out-of-programme is discouraged in MMC and it was originally thought that if you wanted to do research outside the academic career pathway you would have to abandon your number or wait until the end of the training programme and do the research post-CCT. This has been relaxed slightly and Postgraduate Deans will still be able to sanction out-of-programme research at their discretion, but it is envisaged that in general fewer SpRs will do research than at present. As an MMC trainee you may have to make a good case for being allowed time out to do research. 4. Research workshops. The BSG funds small research workshops (about 30 attendees) and there are places reserved for trainees with an interest in the area. Topics for the next few are still to be decided but keep an eye open for announcements. If you are a researcher with an idea for a workshop you (or your boss) could submit a proposal. 5. Core research strategy. Core is reviewing its funding strategy. 6. Survey of research attitudes among SpRs. This is being undertaken by Matthew Brooks and Andrew Holt after a pilot in the West Midlands. You may find a questionnaire reaching your inbox or letter box in the next few months – please take the time to participate as the results will help gauge the amount of support that will be required for Gastro trainees wishing to undertake research in the next few years.