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Get your first choice AFP

Dr Aditya Borakati, Academic FY1, London (UCL)

RECON Launch, RCS, 14/01/2019

Outline

• What is the AFP?

• Should I do an AFP?

• How do I apply?

• Preparing for application

What is the AFP?

• Academic Foundation Programme- gives you dedicated time and supervision to be involved in research, education or leadership ON top of regular foundation programme

UK Academic Foundation Programme

557

6994

AFP Posts

FP Posts

• In 2017 / 18:

- 1,802 AFP applications for 557 places.

Academic Foundation Programmes

• Academic foundation programmes can vary widely depending on the:

1. Type of Programme.

2. Themed vs Unthemed Programmes.

3. Academic time allocated.

Types of Programme

Research (~ 85%)

Education(~ 10%) Leadership

(~ 5%)

Themed vs Unthemed Programmes

Themed Unthemed

Clinical Relevant rotations Tailor your rotations

Supervisor Allocated(proven track record)

Find your own(with support)

Project Already set-up(quick / easy)

Tailor to your interest(must be proactive)

Allocated Academic Time

• 1 x 4 month academic block in FY2.

• A dedicated academic day each week.

• No specific time (e.g. Glasgow).

+/- Generic research skills teaching

Should you do one?

Why you SHOULD do an AFP

• Academic time:- To work on your academic interest.

- To attend courses / conferences / exam prep

- To break up clinical work.

Why you SHOULD do an AFP

• Learning: - How to be an academic.

- How to be a better clinician.

- About your speciality of interest.

Why you SHOULD do an AFP

•Extras:- Opportunities.

- Supervisor(s).

- Academic unit.

- Relaxed rotation!

-Stay in the same hospital/ more central hospitals

Why you SHOULD do an AFP

• Career:- Demonstrate skills & interest early.

- Build a formidable portfolio.

- Easier to ‘jump off’ than ‘jump on’.

Why you SHOULDN’T do an AFP

• Same requirements as standard FY.

• Less clinical experience.

• Not needed to succeed academically

Why you SHOULDN’T do an AFP• ‘Pigeonholes’ career

• Interviews/ Application stressful- like an extra exam

Why you SHOULDN’T do an AFP

Key Points

• Do the pros outweigh the cons for you?

• AFP is the start of an academic training pathway – not the only route

• Can you commit the time / energy?

Application Process• National Application through Oriel- apply to 2

academic units of application (AUoAs)

• October 2nd Deadline- earlier than regular programme

• December- January Interviews

• January 16th- national AFP offers• 3x mop-up rounds

Applying for AFP- Choosing

the Right Deanery

• ProgrammesAvailable

• Research Strengths• Opportunities

Available• AFP structure

• Location• Competition Ratios

Application

Application Form(decile, BSc, papers)

White space questions (some

deaneries)Interviews

Application form• Start now! Get involved get papers,

presentations, prizes

• Intercalate if you haven’t already

• Still need to do well in exams- deciles, research won’t compensate for this

White space questions• Why do you want to apply..? Give example of

your research/ teaching/ leadership? What do you think of AI in healthcare?

• 200 word limit

• CV (some)

White space questions

• Map answers to compendium• Get people to review• Multiple drafts to get right

Interview

• Different formats• Single panel• Multiple panel• Presentation

• Academic• Critical appraisal• Clinical scenario- Acute medical presentation• Education

Interview tips• Different to medical school interviews!

• Know your application and your research

• Revise acute medical scenarios, pathophysiology

• Prepare in advance, get practice with academics/ clinicians/ previous AFPs

Take home points• AFP not the be all and end all

• If you want to be involved in things beyond pure medicine apply

• Prepare, prepare, prepare- as early as possible

Thank you and good luck• Questions?• a.Borakati@doctors.org.uk