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Discover the benefits, timing, topic selection, supervisor selection, and practical tips for making the most of your Out of Programme Research experience in Ophthalmology.
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OOPR MD – GETTING STARTEDTasneem KhatibST5 OphthalmologyHEEoE Ophthalmology Research/ARCP Study Day 21st June 2019
OUTLINE • WHY?: Should I take time out? • WHEN?: When’s the best time for OOPR? • WHAT?: How should I decide what topic to research? • WHO/WHERE?: Picking a supervisor • HOW?: I’m keen! What should I do next? • Making the most out of OOPR
WHEN?: When’s the best time for OOPR? • No right time. Juggle with other responsibilities. • ST4/5: • Have had time to figure out what interests you • Still have a few years left in clinical training on return to programme to: • get back up to speed • write up papers before fellowship/consultant applications • Get your exams out of the way • Demonstrate a good level of clinical competence…make it easy for your TPD/deanery to agree to OOPR
WHAT?: How should I decide what topic to research? Brain Anterograde axonal transport My experimental chapter titles: Clinical need for new glaucoma therapies ⬩ Optimising a gene therapy for glaucoma and barriers to translation ⬩ Manipulating the neurodegenerative process ⬩ Restoring function in experimental glaucoma ⬩ Optic nerve regeneration in experimental glaucoma ⬩ Non-invasive imaging and quantification of human aqueous outflow ONH
WHO/WHERE?: Picking a supervisor • Someone you feel you can approach easily • a dynamic that works for one won’t necessarily work for another • need to feel able to discuss failures (as well as successes!) with them • Proven track record in taking students to completion • Recent publication record • Can open doors for you in the future • Integrity – scientific rigour and that you can see gives credit where it’s due • Life-long mentor
HOW?: I’m keen! What should I do next? “tips for doing an OOPR MD: do it.” “experience: incredible. learnt so much and loved doing it.”“hurdles: finding an alternative solutions to insurmountable hurdles was the best bit.” • Discuss possibility with TPD and ES • HEEoE OOP application • 6 months notice (including 3 months notice to current Trust) • Final authorisation must be obtained from the HEE local team prior to leaving the programme. • Must have completed at least one year of OST
Essential Supporting Documents • A brief overview of planned activities whilst out of programme must be submitted with ALL OOP applications. • The following documents are also required depending on what OOP category the trainee is applying for: • OOPR with time to count to CCT (up to 6 months) • - Letter supporting time to count from Royal College of Ophthalmologists • - Job Description and/or Research Proposal • OOPR without time to count: - Job Description and/or Research Proposal
Registering the MD: • Contact Medical School • Local letter of support/recommendation from Senior Tutor • Submit proposal for review by the DM committee • Termly reports – and then fully registered after 1 year with confirmation of status report. • Typically 5 years permitted for completion (usually 2 years full time OOPR) • Viva and thesis.
Making the most out of OOPR • Be realistic in how much you want to do. • Be organised • Clinical research requiring ethics - start early as this can take months e.g. sponsorship reviews, amendments, ethics reviews. • Lab work – Home Office licence • Need strong internal drive and motivation • Expect failure!
Do admin/paperwork/data entry regularly. • Set aside time to keep up to date with the latest research. • Be prepared to work evenings and weekends. • Make yourself available to participants if they have any concerns • Expect to spend a fair amount of time communicating with patients/their families in person or over the phone (e.g. during recruitment, if any complications). • You may well work independently a lot of the time but also lead teams that comprise clinical and non-clinical staff.
