Dr James Bateman, an SPR in Rheumatology at the Haywood Hospital in North Staffordshire, thinks of the key things you will need to get that dream research project
Approaching colleagues in a field that you’re interested in is a great way to get going
When I graduated from medical school, research couldn’t have been farther from my mind. Often, it’s only when trainees get past the day-to-day demands of being a new doctor that they realise potential openings in research. Besides, it is widely known that you won’t get a job in some areas “unless you’ve done some research”. So how to get started, and what is needed to get a research project together?
Firstly, research isn’t for everyone, but there are a wide variety of things you can study, from pathology to education. Being in the right place at the right time is a good start, but not a prerequisite. Getting started by approaching colleagues in a field that you’re interested in is a great way to get going. Often, consultants and registrars have projects stacked up, but not the time or the will to finalise projects.
Don’t be put off if you are not currently working with them, or in the field you’re interested in. Most clinicians would be flattered by the approach. They may give you the opportunity to present the work, eg, as a poster form at a national meeting (there is one for every specialty). This is a way of getting your foot in the door when it comes to future job prospects.
What about the more serious research? For this you need five key things: a clinical area, a supervisor, a project, time and money to pay for it all! This is actually easier and less daunting than it seems.
You will often find clinicians and departments are just waiting for that “someone” to come along. Clinicians will frequently have funded projects, or have a good idea for a project, and can put you in touch with an appropriate source of funding like the Medical Research Council (MRC), or prominent charities like Cancer Research UK and the Arthritis Research Council. There are also “pre-packaged” fellowships that are advertised with a research component.
Once you have a supervisor, the rest is potentially straightforward. There will be help and advice regarding any dreaded grant writing proposal or interviews. From a time perspective, it often involves taking time OOP (out-of-programme, ie, work that will not count towards mandatory training). It helps to keep in touch with your local deanery and let them know what’s going on.
Finally, the money and your pay will depend on who is funding the project. Don’t be put off by the thought of a pay cut, as often departments will have alternatives to supplement your salary, such as out of hours work, clinical lists or oncall rotas. Good luck.