AFP

Previous Topic
Next Topic

What is an AFP?

AFP Introduction to the AFP What is an AFP?
Module Progress
0% Complete

An Academic Foundation Programme, or “AFP”, is a variation on the UK Foundation Programme for newly starting doctors. It is designed to give newly graduated doctors a taster of academic medicine. Successful applicants are given the opportunity to train in one of three main categories, alongside the standard clinical training expected of foundation doctors. Broadly, the categories offered are:
⦁ Research
⦁ Medical Education
⦁ Leadership and Management
Within these categories, research projects are broken down into specialities e.g. Cardiology, Anaesthetics or General Practice. Projects can also be lab-based, clinical or paper-based . All AFPs are associated with a university which will provide support for the project, alongside opportunities to be involved with teaching and training.

Have a look at what Dr James Ashcroft, a
current Academic Clinical Fellow, wrote about his AFP project: 

 

“The primary work of my AFP post revolved around
investigating cognition and neuroenhancement in early learning of technical
skills in surgery. I joined the Imperial Neuroergonomics Laboratory having
completed my MRes in neuroenhancement application to non-technical skills.

 

I collaborated with my supervisors, engineers, clinical researchers UK (ICL, UCL) and USA (UoFlorida) and with commercial manufacturers to design a novel pilot randomised control study to trial neurostimulation in surgical novices. This work is currently undergoing peer-review and has been further informed by a meta-analysis of the motor impact of neurostimulation, a meta-analysis of neuroimaging techniques in tissue oxygenation and a cutting edge review of neuroenhancement in surgeons” – If you’re interested have a read of some of his research here.  

All Foundation Programmes (FP) will have six 4-month clinical rotations, over 2 years. The majority of Academic Foundation programmes offer a 4-month research block in your FY2 year, in place of one of the 3 clinical rotations you would have had during FY2. Others offer one day a week throughout your Foundation training, or even a mixture of both. An example of 3 different programmes is shown in the image below:

In 2020 there were approximately 450 AFP jobs across the country, making up roughly 5% of all foundation programmes offered.

An AFP is often seen as the start of becoming a “clinical academic”, with trainees then moving on down the Integrated Academic Training pathway. The goal of this pathway is to produce clinical academics – doctors who practise as a physician or surgeon while simultaneously carrying out research in their chosen field.  During training, Doctors may complete a PhD before progressing to becoming a senior clinician within a research team. Training runs alongside normal clinical practice, as shown in the diagram below:

Hover on me for a top tip

While an AFP offers a great opportunity to expand your training, it is important to remember that you do not have to have done an AFP to be able to pursue a career in research. There are a whole host of opportunities throughout the foundation years and beyond to get involved in research.


Another important distinction to make is the difference between applying for an AFP and then actually going on to do an AFP. Even if you are unsure about pursuing an AFP, there is a lot to gain from the application process itself. We hope that distinction is clear by the end of this module and have highlighted the pros and cons of each, to hopefully help you decide whether an AFP is actually for you.

In the rest of this module we will cover:

·      An introduction to the application process

·      The Pros and Cons of applying to an AFP

·      The Pros and Cons of doing an AFP

·       Is the AFP for me?

Previous Topic
Back to Module
Next Topic
Scroll to Top

Elliot

Elliot is a St George’s graduate currently working as an F1 Doctor in East London. As the first in his family to apply to university, Elliot is well aware of the barriers that can be faced in trying to get to medical school. He is passionate about widening access to medicine for underrepresented groups.
 
 He was the representative for St George’s on the BMA Medical Students Committee, and has done lots of work with local schools and colleges to raise awareness of medicine as a career, as well as working on admissions policies with the widening participation team St George’s. Elliot is part of the @BecomingaDr outreach team and National Health Careers Conference Team.