Welcome to potential Academic Registrars
Do you have an interest in developing your skills in teaching, research or both? These year-long part-time posts allow you to engage in academic life, including learning administrative and computer skills, undertaking University based training in teaching, and leading a small research project. These skills will enhance your clinical practice, and may lead you into an ongoing academic role if you really enjoy it.
All Registrars participate in the teaching program of the department, and are supported by experienced GP teachers to learn small group teaching skills, assessment and evaluation processes. A senior academic supervisor provides guidance, feedback and mentorship throughout the year and assists in developing a research project plan. Involvement in this strongly research oriented department creates opportunities for learning how to write ethics applications, creating a feasible project plan, and developing presentation skills.
The Primary Care Research Unit in the Department of General Practice offers a variety of projects for Academic Registrars. Registrars can choose to join an existing research project, or work with a researcher on an area of interest. Look around the Department’s website for more information about our research and our researchers. We are happy to help you to develop a project of your own choice if we have a supervisor with similar interests.
To discuss potential research ideas, contact the Director of Research Training, Associate Professor Meredith Temple-Smith
Ph: 8344 3371, m.temple-smith@unimelb.edu.au
Academic Post – Previous Registrars
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Year completed: 2010/2011 Research project: Vitamin D and Fibromyalgia, is there an association? Deepa had 3 roles in her Academic Post. She conducted a systematic review for her research component. She is in the process of trying to get this paper published. Her teaching involved Semester 12 medical student tutoring. She was also involved in medical editing at the Australian Family Physician. Deepa is currently a Medical Educator with VMA GP Training. |
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Year completed: 2010/2011 Research Project: Stepping Up: A pilot program for insulin initiation in general practice My academic registrar term opened my eyes to the scope of work available to a general practitioner. I was able to work as part of a team in my research project, teaching and curriculum development. The administration of my research project helped me not only to gain research and writing skills, but also gave me additional clinical skills and confidence in an area of special interest to me. I had the opportunity to meet colleagues with similar interests by being one of four academic registrars in the department and had the opportunity to travel to Darwin and Sydney to attend conferences. The academic term has opened up opportunities for me to continue working within the department and to further explore an academic career. Jo-Anne has been granted a further 12 months on her Academic Post. |
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Year completed: 2010/2011 Research Project: Testing for Chlamydia: Young men’s attitudes and behaviours. I used my Academic Post as an experimental year. I had always been curious to see if it was possible to combine clinical work and academia. This post gave me the opportunity to do that. I was able to learn a lot about both teaching and research and now aim to have both components combined with my clinical practice. My research topic had to be what I was interested in. The research had to be on something that would impact my clinical work as a GP. My supervisor, Assoc. Prof. Meredith Temple-Smith was very supportive and helpful in guiding me develop a project that did this. I have enjoyed the post and have been granted a further 12 months to continue the research and expand further in my teaching experience. I would recommend this post to all registrars. |
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Year completed: 2004/2005 Research project: The preparedness of Australian general practice registrars to respond to alcohol issues. |
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Year completed: 1998/1999 I completed two years as an Academic Registrar, having already completed my GP training and worked in rural Victoria for a few years. I tried out academic life largely to satisfy my need to learn how to teach more effectively, something that I love doing. Twelve years and a PhD later I am still here, contributing to teaching and learning and research in primary care. The academic roles are stimulating, rewarding and an excellent balance to the clinical role as a GP. Research projects: Multiple including projects in inter-professional education, patient-doctor communication, lesbian health and lesbian parenting. |