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