Primary Care Research

Entry requirements

Applicants for this course should have achieved a UK 2:1 Honours Degree.

The course is open to all graduates with a relevant first degree who wish to pursue a career in academic primary care, but is particularly aimed at Trainee GPs, and GPs working in the NHS who wish to gain a fuller understanding of the disciplines at the foundation of academic primary care.

Months of entry

October

Course content

The programme aims to:

• Contribute to the commitment of the Cambridge University Hospital’s NHS Foundation Trust (CUHNHSFT), Cambridgeshire Primary Care Trust/ Clinical Commissioning Group and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) to continuing professional development of NHS staff in an integrated academic and clinical environment;
• Develop a cadre of primary care clinical research leaders who will pursue clinical Academic careers within academia, the NHS and industry;
• Contribute to the commitment of the Health Education East of England to continuing professional development of GP Specialty Trainees in an integrated academic and clinical environment;
• Expand critical and current knowledge of research methodologies through an academically vigorous education programme offered in a world-leading primary care clinical research environment;
• Equip clinical researchers with knowledge about the complex issues associated with conducting sound translational research in general practice and community settings.

The programme's educational aims are:

• to provide students with theoretical knowledge and skills as well as practical research experience to launch an academic clinical career in primary care;
• to give students with relevant experience at a first-degree level the opportunity to carry out focussed research in the discipline under close supervision; and
• to give students the opportunity to acquire or develop skills and expertise relevant to their research interests.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the programme, students will have:

• developed a strong foundation in the fundamental skills and techniques of primary care research
• learned how to apply contemporary research tools to clinically relevant areas of investigation
• acquired an understanding of the complex issues associated with clinical research
• developed the ability to be competitive in seeking support for clinical research.