The Academic Foundation Programme (AFP)

Information about the Academic Foundation Programme and how to apply.

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The Academic Foundation Programme (AFP) allows junior doctors to develop academic skills in addition to clinical skills during their foundation years. The primary aim of the AFP is still to enable doctors to acquire and demonstrate competencies described in the Foundation Programme Curriculum. Doctors on the Academic Foundation Programme are expected to maintain the same clinical skill level as a participant on a purely clinical programme. The Programme provides additional opportunities to develop research, teaching and leadership/ management skills in addition to the basic competencies outlined in the curriculum.

Throughout the UK, different approaches are taken in the provision of academic training in Foundation Programmes. The Programme in Dundee is co-ordinated by the University of Dundee alongside the East Deanery.

Trainees are allocated to a Programme number and associated rotations. All FY1 rotations are full-time clinical rotations to allow foundation doctors to fully embed in clinical work. In FY2, the trainees have a four month block of full-time academic activity. This can be in education, research or leadership & quality improvement. This period also includes one day/week in clinical practice in any speciality in secondary care or in primary care. This unparalleled opportunity to really engage in academic research of your choice is unique to the Dundee Programme.

An academic project forms the main focus of the AFP. It provides the trainee doctor with the opportunity to demonstrate academic competencies. The AFP doctors have a dedicated academic supervisor who oversees their academic work, providing constructive feedback throughout the rotation. Students are advised to meet with their supervisor during their FY1 to ensure that they undertake adequate preparation before the commencement of their rotation.

East Region Academic Programmes (scot.nhs.uk) for more information about the foundation. 

How to Apply to the Dundee Academic Foundation Programme

Applications for Academic Foundation positions should be submitted through the national programme. Individuals should register for an account and complete the same online application form as all other applicants. The application form will indicate what additional information you need to provide for your AFP application. Scotland should be selected as the Unit of Application and successful applicants will be matched to individual programmes after the interview.

For more information consult the UKFP website.

Publications

  1. Nicorandil-Induced Colovesical Fistula in a Patient with Diverticular Disease, 2021 
  2. Resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors in advanced gastro-oesophageal cancers. Baxter, M.A., Middleton, F., Cagney, H.P. et al. Resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors in advanced gastro-oesophageal cancers. Br J Cancer (2021).
  3. Nicorandil: from ulcer to fistula into adjacent organs. Noyes, J. D., Mordi, I. R., Zeb, Q. & Lang, C. C., Mar 2021, In: Clinical Case Reports. 9, 3, p. 1737-1741 5 p.
  4. Genetic Risk of Diverticular Disease Predicts Early Stoppage of Nicorandil, 2021
  5. Quinine exposure and the risk of acute kidney injury: a population-based observational study of older people. Duncan ADS, Hapca S, De Souza N, Morales D, Bell S. Quinine Exposure and the Risk of Acute Kidney Injury: A Population-Based Observational Study of Older People Age Ageing 2020 May 28; afaa079. 
  6. Genetic Risk of Diverticular Disease Predicts Early Stoppage of Nicorandil. Noyes, J., Mordi, I. R., Doney, A. S., Palmer, C. N. A., Pearson, E. R. & Lang, C. C., Dec 2020, In: Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 108, 6, p. 1171-1175 5 p. 
  7. High response and reinfection rate among people who inject drugs treated for hepatitis C in community needle and syringe programme. Jasmine Schulkind, Brian Stephens, Farsana Ahmad, Linda Johnston; Sharon Hutchinson, Donna Thain, Zoe Ward, Peter Vickerman, Matthew Hickman, John Dillon. Journal of Viral Hepatitis. 2019 May;26(5):519-528. 
  8. The Addition of Vitamin D Supplementation to Interferon and Ribavirin in the Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus Infection. A Randomised Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study. Josh T Coats, Adrian Hapca, Miles D Witham, Peter T. Donnan, Mathis Heydtmann, Andrew Bathgate, Peter C Hayes, Andrew Fraser, Morgan Evans, Clifford Leen, Peter Bramley, Stephen T. Barclay, Raymond Fox, John F Dillon Archives of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2018; 1:39-48 
  9. Electrostimulation of Muscles Mimics the Effect of Physical Exercise on Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Systematic Review. Iain Swan, Zi Yi Tew, John F Dillon, Rami J Abboud.  AASCIT Journal of Medicine. Vol. 3, No. 1, 2017, pp. 1-9.
  10. Treatment as prevention - targeting people who inject drugs as a pathway towards hepatitis C eradication.  J D Leask, J F Dillon,. Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics 2016: 44; 145-156.
  11. Referral Finder: Saving Time and Improving The Quality of In-hospital Referrals. Cathcart J, Cowan N, Tully V. Referral Finder: Saving Time and Improving The Quality of In-hospital Referrals. BMJ Quality Improvement Reports 2016;5(1)
  12. Introduction of a junior doctors' handbook: an essential guide for new doctors. Ross D, Petrie C, Tully V. Introduction of a junior doctors' handbook: an essential guide for new doctors. BMJ Quality Improvement Reports 2016;5(1) 
  13. Reduction in post-operative acute kidney injury following a change in antibiotic prophylaxis policy for orthopaedic surgery: an observational study. Walker H, Patton A, Bayne G, Marwick C, Sneddon J, Davey P, Nathwani D, Bell S.  Reduction in post-operative acute kidney injury following a change in antibiotic prophylaxis policy for orthopaedic surgery: an observational study. J Antimicrob Chemother 2016 Sep;71(9):2598-605
  14. The effect of introducing point-of-care or dried blood spot analysis on the uptake of hepatitis C virus testing in high-risk populations. A systematic review of the literature. JT Coates, John F Dillon.  International Journal of Drug Policy 2015; 06/2015;  
  15. Systematic review of genetic association studies involving histologically confirmed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Kayleigh L Wood, Michael H Miller and John F Dillon. BMJ Open Gastroenterology 2015;2:e000019.
  16. Association of serum bilirubin and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A feasible therapeutic avenue. M Anwar, MH Miller, JF Dillon. Systematic review of association of serum bilirubin levels and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a feasible therapeutic avenue? World Journal of Pharmacology 2014;3: 209-216.  
  17. Lifestyle interventions for the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. V Bradford, JF Dillon, MH Miller. Hepatic Medicine: Evidence and Research 2014;6:1–10. 
  18. Increasing survival of hepatocellular carcinoma patients in Scotland: a review of national cancer registry data. J Kevin Dunbar, John Dillon, O James Garden, David H Brewster. HPB 2013;15:279-285.
  19. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis prophylaxis in the era of healthcare associated infection. Hasnain Jafferbhoy, M H Miller, EB Henry, W Gashau, C Chandra Shekar, M Lockhart, J F Dillon Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis prophylaxis in the era of healthcare associated infection. GUT 2012;61:1644-45. IF 10.614 (3/66) 
  20. Pre-treatment prediction of response to pegylated-interferon plus ribavarin for chronic hepatitis C using RVR. H. Jafferbhoy, M.H. Miller, Z. El Wahed, J.F. Dillon. Pre-treatment prediction of response to pegylated-interferon plus ribavarin for chronic hepatitis C using RVR. Journal of Hepatology 2011; 55: 1162–1167. IF6.62 (4/66)