MRC Special Training Fellowship in Health Service Research: Personal Experience
description
Transcript of MRC Special Training Fellowship in Health Service Research: Personal Experience
www.shef.ac.uk/aubm
MRC Special Training Fellowship in Health Service Research: Personal Experience
Lynne Ferrar
Academic Unit of Bone MetabolismSchool of Biomedical Sciences
University of Sheffield
www.shef.ac.uk/aubm
Outline
• Who am I?
• Why did I apply?
• How did I go about applying?
• Why was I successful?
• What has been my experience of the
fellowship?
• What have I gained?
• Any unforeseen difficulties or low points?
• Advice for anyone applying for a fellowship?
www.shef.ac.uk/aubm
Who Am I?
www.shef.ac.uk/aubm
Career History
• Post doc with Prof Eastell since 2000– part-time secondment to STHT Research Office,
2003- 2004 – part-time lecturer in radiography and research
methods, Sheffield Hallam University, 2001-2002– coordinator of Bone Metabolism Centre Grant
2000-2002
• Senior radiographer Osteoporosis Centre, 1995-1996 (research and clinical)
• Clinical radiographer, 1976-1978; 1984-1995
www.shef.ac.uk/aubm
Research Experience: Main Focus
www.shef.ac.uk/aubm
Research Experience: Funding and Publications
• Funding– MRC Special Training Fellowship in HSR 2004-2007
+ extension 2007-2008– National Osteoporosis Society fellowship 1997-1999;
2001-2002– Arc project grant (principal investigator) 2007-2008
• Publications– 13 papers published in peer reviewed journals
• 10 1st author, 1 senior author
www.shef.ac.uk/aubm
Why Did I Apply for the Fellowship?
www.shef.ac.uk/aubm
Reasons for Applying for the Fellowship
Up to 5 years salary
Applications encouraged from allied
health professionals
Funding for training courses
Clinical or applied research
Opportunity to spend time in another
research establishment
MRC fellowships highly regarded
www.shef.ac.uk/aubm
How Did I Go About Making the Application?
www.shef.ac.uk/aubm
Preparing the Application
• Downloaded application forms and guidance for applicants
• Met with Prof Eastell to draw up research plan
• Completed application and distributed within Department of Clinical Sciences
www.shef.ac.uk/aubm
Interview and Outcome
• Interview at MRC Head Office
• Recommended I obtain a second supervisor with a track record in health service research
• Prof John Brazier (ScHARR) agreed to act as 2nd supervisor
• Awarded fellowship for 3 years
www.shef.ac.uk/aubm
Why Was I Successful?
www.shef.ac.uk/aubm
Why Was I Successful?
• Track record– Individual
• 5 papers published + one in press • 2 previous research fellowships• health service background
– Research group and institution • recognised for musculoskeletal research
• Training plan– placement in another research establishment– Diploma in Health Service Research and Health
Service Technology– in-house training courses
www.shef.ac.uk/aubm
Why Was I Successful (2)?
• Project
– original
– able to identify patient benefit
– included health service research component
– national and international collaborations with renowned research groups
www.shef.ac.uk/aubm
Experience of Having the Fellowship
• Administration of grant by MRC has been very “hands off”
• Consumables allowance disproportionately large compared to travel allowance
– but flexibility in allocation of resources
• Support network
– annual fellows meetings
• presentations of fellows’ research
• Workshops
www.shef.ac.uk/aubm
What have I Gained from the Fellowship?
www.shef.ac.uk/aubm
Opportunity to Work in San Francisco!
www.shef.ac.uk/aubm
What Have I Gained from the Fellowship?
• Developed analysis plans for research project
• Formed new collaboration Publication of another 7 papers
• Certificate in Health Service Research
• External recognition – policy development committee of International
Society for Clinical Densitometry– chairing a session at NOS annual conference and
award for best abstract– review papers and grant applications
www.shef.ac.uk/aubm
Unforeseen Difficulties or Low Points
www.shef.ac.uk/aubm
Unforeseen Difficulties or Low Points
• Unable to complete planned research within 3 years
• Did not attend all planned courses
• Certificate in HSR instead of Diploma
• Workload– course in HSR– new collaborations– other commitments– no clerical or admin support
• Failed to obtain funding for PhD student or to get the RCUK fellowship
www.shef.ac.uk/aubm
What Advice Would I Give to Anyone Applying for an MRC (or other) Fellowship?
www.shef.ac.uk/aubm
General Points
Consult the MRC
Start early Discuss with others
Read guidance for applicants
Attend the grant writing workshop!
Pay attention to presentation
www.shef.ac.uk/aubm
The Research Project
• Original and worthwhile (identify potential benefits)
• Do-able
• Within scope of previous experience
• Preliminary or pilot data
• For Fellowship in HSR, ensure at least part of project qualifies as HSR
www.shef.ac.uk/aubm
The Training Plan
• Tailor training plan to fill gaps in experience, skills, knowledge
• Justify your choice of training establishment (s) and supervisor (s)
• Identify potential benefits
• Be specific in terms of the courses you plan to attend
• Have realistic and appropriate timelines
www.shef.ac.uk/aubm
Acknowledgements