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| 215P London, UK Pharmacology 2016 |
Who and what is a clinical pharmacologist !?!
Background and Aims Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (CPT) is a dynamic and diverse speciality that plays a vital role in today’s NHS. Whilst there has been an increase in the number of consultants in all medical specialities of 62% between 2002 and 2012, the change in CPT was negligible with only 77 CPT consultants in the NHS in 2012. The aim of this work is to assess the knowledge of medical students and doctors in training about CPT as a medical speciality, its regulation and career pathway.
Summary of work and outcomes A survey was taken of doctors in training and final year medical students who worked in three hospitals. One is a major centre for CPT, one is affiliated with a CPT unit and one is not a CPT centre or affiliated with one. 106 surveys were completed. 65% of respondents knew that CPT existed as a speciality. This fell to below 50% for those who didn’t work in a CPT centre or graduated from a University that is affiliated with one. Only 11% of respondents overall would consider a career in CPT, this figure rising to 21% in those in the major CPT centre. Only 32% knew that the Royal College of Physicians provides the postgraduate qualifications for CPT while only 28% identified the General Medical Council’s role as the regulator of practice for CPT. Less than half of respondents knew that working for the pharmaceutical industry, drug discovery, stroke, metabolic and cardiovascular medicine are potential career pathways for CPT.
Discussion This survey highlights that CPT is a poorly known of and misunderstood speciality. More needs to be done to engage doctors in training and medical students to advertise CPT as a speciality and potential career. Indeed those that would consider a career in CPT nearly doubled in the major CPT centre where they had CPT exposure. The responses regarding regulation, postgraduate examinations and career pathways also highlight the poor understanding of CPT as a speciality.
Conclusion Significantly more needs to be done to highlight and publicise CPT as a medical speciality and its career pathway on a local and national basis. Increased engagement with medical students and doctors in training is required so that they understand this career path and can aspire to become Clinical Pharmacologists.
References
1. BPS. A prescription for the NHS https://www.bps.ac.uk/BPSMemberPortal/media/BPSWebsite/BPS_A_prescription_for_the_NHS_FINAL_SP%281%29.pdf
2. JRCPTB ST3Recruitment. http://www.st3recruitment.org.uk/specialties/clinical-pharmacology