University
The University of Aberdeen is a fusion of two ancient universities: Kings College founded in 1495 and Marischal College which dates from 1593. The University, which has around 10,000 students, maintains an outstanding record in scholarship and supports a high level of teaching and learning underpinned by a first class portfolio of research programmes.
Aberdeen has had a medical school since 1497 and the current School of Medicine and Dentistry continues to provide high quality teaching, ranking fifth in the UK in The Complete University Guide 2015.
The Foresterhill Health Campus is the largest medical campus in Europe and is the culmination of the vision of Matthew Hay, who first proposed the co-location of acute medical care and medical science on the same site in 1900. The Medical School, Institute of Medical Sciences, Rowat Institute of Nutrition and Health and Health Sciences Building sit adjacent to each other and bring together medical scientists and clinicians in a fully integrated research facility.
There are extensive opportunities to be involved in undergraduate teaching of medical students. All medical students rotate through the Anaesthetic Department in Year 4, with the option of a longer attachment in Year 5. In addition, anaesthetists are frequently involved in teaching on other modules of the course and in examining.
Academic Education Opportunities
The anaesthetic department in Aberdeen offers fantastic opportunities for academic research and teaching through its excellent links with the University of Aberdeen in general and medical school in particular. Opportunities range from involvement in the medical student admissions interviews to examining at the students’ Objective Structured Clinical Examinations. The University also provide a range of CPD activities in education ranging from the Annual Away Days consisting of workshops and training mapped to the Academy of Medical Educators domains, to a formal Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma and Masters course in Medical Education.
Specific Clinical Teaching Fellowships and integrated academic placements in Medical Education are also available for eligible and enthusiastic anaesthetic trainees.
Core Training Academic Placement
During the course of core training, the Aberdeen Anaesthetic Department is able to offer a unique four month attachment to the Division of Medical and Dental Education (DMDE) at the University of Aberdeen. Trainees are eligible if they complete basic level competencies and the Primary FRCA within the first 16 months of their anaesthetic training.
During this attachment the trainee has the opportunity to participate in pedagogic research and a wide range of clinical teaching both at an undergraduate and postgraduate level. Research projects and learning about curriculum management are performed with the guidance and support of internationally renowned experts in medical education. Involvement in postgraduate education is also encouraged through delivery of teaching such as the critical care course for F1 trainees and involvement with the dynamic and rapidly developing simulation team. A clinical on-call commitment is maintained throughout this time and clinical activities are encouraged on one or two days per week to continue development and maintenance of anaesthetic skills.
Clinical Lecturer (Scholarship)
The University of Aberdeen Clinical Lecturer (Scholarship) role is another avenue for those who are interested in developing an interest in medical education. This scheme, established in 2000 by the Medical School, enables fully registered medical practitioners appointed at competitive interview to spend up to two years working as a clinical lecturer. Several current members of the Aberdeen Anaesthetic Department have undertaken this fellowship as either Out of Programme Experience, or at natural break points in their clinical career. Many of these individuals have subsequently continued to play a lead role in education either at undergraduate or postgraduate level.
As a clincal lecturer you would gain experience in a wide range of teaching across all years of the undergraduate curriculum, from year 1 basic clinical examination teaching to year 5 high fidelity simulation. You would be actively involved in all aspects of curriculum management and development as part of a specific year executive team.
Additionally, you are strongly encouraged to become involved in major curriculum development or pedagogic research, and you are encouraged to work towards a postgraduate qualification in medical education, such as a Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma or Masters level qualification.
Working in this role is a fantastic opportunity that enables you to develop a wealth of experience and skills that are beneficial in the field of both undergraduate and postgraduate education, but also skills that are transferrable to all areas of clinical work, e.g. leadership, management, teaching and teamwork skills. You will also be provided with opportunities to maintain your clinical skills by continuing your clinical work for three half-day sessions per week.
For further information, please visit the Clinical Lecturer (Scholarship) page on the university website.