> But I'm not convinced that a supervisor needs to come from
> within your own speciality. For instance I'm going off to do a
> research project, I have an academic supervisor who is an
> Epidemiologist by training. I also have a nominal clinical supervisor
> (who is my trainer). Research methodology is pretty similar whatever
> speciality you are in.
Certainly agree. I would encourage A&E Trainees to look outside
the speciality for an academic supervisor. Then bring the skills you
have developed back into the speciality, and start training your own
juniors!!!
>
> Where do the relative "experts" (Yes, Tim, I consider you to be
one of
> these :-) ) consider to have an Academic Record in Emergency
> Medicine?
>
Whatever the speciality, your choice of supervisor is probably the
most important one you will make in your research. The topic (as
long as you are interested in it) is of relatively little importance. An
excellent trainee with an excellent topic and poor supervision will
probably be OK. However if you are less than an absolute star, with
good supervision your life will be much, much easier. (I had a
neurophysiologist as my supervisor).
The key question to ask of potential supervisors is how many thesis
and trainee papers they have produced (completed, NOT in
progress) in the last 5 years. Then look up this work and go and talk
to those trainees. You will get a pretty good idea about the quality
of the supervision. If a potential thesis supervisor hasn't got a thesis
themselves - look elsewhere. If you are the first that they have
supervised - you are taking a risk (sorry Eamon).
Papers you can look up on medline, but number of theses produced
is much more difficult as I don't think that there is any central
record. You will have to ask. (The Royal London scores one thesis
in 5 years (mine) and so when they applied for the jobs I told the
Lecturers here that they were taking a risk).
(Darren: I am avoiding your request for a list of 'academic units' as I
want to be able to walk the streets at night).
Tim.
Timothy J Coats MD FRCS FFAEM
Senior Lecturer in Accident and Emergency / Pre-Hospital Care
Royal London Hospital, UK.
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