Get your first choice AFP Dr Aditya Borakati, Academic FY1, London - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Get your first choice AFP

Dr Aditya Borakati, Academic FY1, London (UCL) RECON Launch, RCS, 14/01/2019

Outline

• What is the AFP?
• Should I do an AFP?
• How do I apply?
• Preparing for application

What is the AFP?

• Academic Foundation

Programme- gives you dedicated time and supervision to be involved in research, education or leadership ON top of regular foundation programme

UK Academic Foundation Programme

557 6994

AFP Posts FP Posts

• In 2017 / 18:
• 1,802 AFP applications for 557 places.

Academic Foundation Programmes

• Academic foundation programmes can vary

widely depending on the:

• 1. Type of Programme.
• 2. Themed vs Unthemed Programmes.
• 3. Academic time allocated.

Types of Programme Research (~ 85%) Education (~ 10%) Leadership (~ 5%)

Themed vs Unthemed Programmes Themed Unthemed

Clinical Relevant rotations Tailor your rotations Supervisor Allocated (proven track record) Find your own (with support) Project Already set-up (quick / easy) Tailor to your interest (must be proactive)

Allocated Academic Time

• 1 x 4 month academic block in FY2.
• A dedicated academic day each week.
• No specific time (e.g. Glasgow).

+/- Generic research skills teaching

Should you do one?

Why you SHOULD do an AFP

• Academic time:
• To work on your academic interest.
• To attend courses / conferences /

exam prep

• To break up clinical work.

Why you SHOULD do an AFP

• Learning:
• How to be an academic.
• How to be a better clinician.
• About your speciality of interest.

Why you SHOULD do an AFP

• Extras:
• Opportunities.
• Supervisor(s).
• Academic unit.
• Relaxed rotation!
• Stay in the same

hospital/ more central hospitals

Why you SHOULD do an AFP

• Career:
• Demonstrate skills & interest early.
• Build a formidable portfolio.
• Easier to ‘jump off’ than ‘jump on’.

Why you SHOULDN’T do an AFP

• Same requirements as standard FY.
• Less clinical experience.
• Not needed to succeed academically

Why you SHOULDN’T do an AFP

• ‘Pigeonholes’ career
• Interviews/ Application stressful- like an

extra exam

Why you SHOULDN’T do an AFP

Key Points

• Do the pros outweigh the cons for you?
• AFP is the start of an academic training

pathway – not the only route

• Can you commit the time / energy?

Application Process

• National Application through Oriel- apply to 2

academic units of application (AUoAs)

• October 2nd Deadline- earlier than regular

programme

• December- January Interviews
• January 16th- national AFP offers
• 3x mop-up rounds

Applying for AFP- Choosing the Right Deanery

• Programmes

Available

• Research Strengths
• Opportunities

Available

• AFP structure
• Location
• Competition Ratios

Application

Application Form (decile, BSc, papers) White space questions (some deaneries) Interviews

Application form

• Start now! Get involved get papers,

presentations, prizes

• Intercalate if you haven’t already
• Still need to do well in exams- deciles,

research won’t compensate for this

White space questions

• Why do you want to apply..? Give example of

your research/ teaching/ leadership? What do you think of AI in healthcare?

• 200 word limit
• CV (some)

White space questions

• Map answers to compendium
• Get people to review
• Multiple drafts to get right

Interview

• Different formats
• Single panel
• Multiple panel
• Presentation
• Academic
• Critical appraisal
• Clinical scenario- Acute medical presentation
• Education

Interview tips

• Different to medical school interviews!
• Know your application and your research
• Revise acute medical scenarios,

pathophysiology

• Prepare in advance, get practice with

academics/ clinicians/ previous AFPs

Take home points

• AFP not the be all and end all
• If you want to be involved in things beyond

pure medicine apply

• Prepare, prepare, prepare- as early as possible

Thank you and good luck

• Questions?
• a.Borakati@doctors.org.uk