1. My journey into academic general practice
Robert Barker
GP partner, Corbridge Medical Group
GP Clinical Research Fellow, Newcastle University

2. Integrated GP and academic training
My timeline
Integrated GP and academic training
Academic GP
NIHR
Fellowship
Early clinical days
2007
2013
2017
2018
2020
Completion of medical degree

3. Early clinical days 100% clinical work not the best thing for patients
(or me/family)
Ad hoc research involvement
I wanted variety

4. Integrated GP & academic training
50:50 split – academic and clinical
Funded by GP training scheme
MSc Public Health, dissertation
Research team involvement

5. The last year… 2.5 days GP partner, Corbridge Health Centre
2.5 days GP Clinical Research Fellow
NIHR SPCR funded
Publication record enhanced
Care home lead: twice monthly MDTs
Epidemiology course, 2 weeks

6. Coming up next…
‘Health and wellbeing of older adults in care homes: What can we learn from existing longitudinal studies?’
NIHR In-practice fellowship, 2 years pre-doctoral
Are ‘track and trigger’ systems good NEWS for care home residents? A mixed methods study.
‘A realist synthesis and economic evaluation of the impact of advance care planning at the end of life’

7. What it brings to me…
Variety, different way of thinking: zooming in and out
2. Flexibility
Own interests & ideas
Schedule, work-life balance
3. Build research networks, conferences

8. Challenges Different skill set Separation of roles requires discipline
Time management

9. Integrated GP and academic training
Academic GP
NIHR
Fellowship
Early clinical days
2007
2013
2017
2018
2020
Completion of medical degree
Yerrakalva, D. How to launch a career in academic general practice. BMJ 2016;352:i1539

10. Key messages A different dimension to the week
It is an exciting time for primary care research