Non-clinical academics and clinical academics (other than medics)
Non-clinical academics and clinical academics (other than medics)
The SAPC Primary Health Care Scientists (PHoCuS) group includes both non-clinical academics and clinical academics other than medics. The group includes methodologists both qualitative and quantitative, sociologists, statisticians, health economists plus various clinical academic and practitioner groups (including nursing, pharmacy, dieticians, social work, psychology, dentistry, public health, paramedics). Academic primary care derives its strength from its multidisciplinary workforce reflecting the increasing diverse practice workforce.
In 2012, SAPC started work to understand and address the career development needs of our members who don't come from a medically qualified background. This led to the establishment of our PHoCuS group. This group recognises that its members often face important challenges to a successful research career that may differ from those of clinical colleagues.
What does PHoCuS do?
The PHoCuS group is a great way for members to meet colleagues with similar professional backgrounds to themselves. The group always meets annually at the Annual Scientific Meeting, but a range of activities take place across the year. The group has representation on the SAPC Executive.
First termly meeting, on-line, details below:
Following on from the PHoCuS meeting at the SAPC Annual Scientific Meeting, one key action point was that we would establish regular meetings of PHoCuS (representing all non-medics) throughout the year.
The meetings will be online (e.g., via MS Teams) for one-hour every term. They are primarily aimed to provide a dedicated space for career support for PHoCuS members (all non-medics in SAPC). The meetings will provide the opportunity to hear about different career journeys, and opportunities for feedback on grant ideas etc.
The first meeting will be on the 28th October – 2 to 3pm. Whilst the forum is designed to support non-medics to develop their career, the meeting will be open to all. Research in primary care is inter-disciplinary with GPs having a key role. Therefore GPs are welcome to attend and provide support to non-medics (PHoCuS members of SAPC) with career development.
If you would like to attend please email Ian (i.maidment@aston.ac.uk) – and we will forward you a link to the meeting.
Annual meeting
The PHoCuS group meets every year at the SAPC ASM. It provides an update on recent activities, plus an opportunity to raise issues that members would like considered by the SAPC Executive
Highlighting research
Our #PHoCuS initiative on social media helps improve the visibility of research and teaching by primary healthcare scientists. We also have dedicated awards recognising the contributions PHoCuS members make to academic primary care
Career and funding advice
PHoCuS members face particular challenges securing funding and progressing their careers. The group provides a great opportunity to share experiences and learn from others
Bringing together colleagues
PHoCuS can help you to identify and connect with others within your discipline who share interests and expertise: from statisticians to sociologists, from economists to ethnographers, from psychology to public health and nursing and pharmacy
SAPC PHoCuS co lead
Dr Rosina Cross
SAPC PHoCuS co lead
Prof Ian Maidment
In addition to PHoCuS, primary healthcare scientists may also wish to engage with SAPC’s early career and extended primary care workforce groups, as well as our established mentoring scheme.