Academic Lead(s):
Professor Andrew Cope
The major strengths of the programme are the breadth of research infrastructure on offer to support trainees. For example, there is outstanding support in clinical trial activity, experimental medicine, epi-stats, as well as basic laboratory science. Specific areas of expertise include immunobiology, inflammation research, imaging, epidemiology and health outcomes research.
The Academic Clinical Lecturer (ACL) posts in rheumatology are based 50% in clinical training and 50% in research activity. Clinical training is continued under the supervision of the clinical lead and training programme director, with trainees allocated two clinics per week, one teaching session, one MDT meeting and one admin session. This provides sufficient activity to meet training requirements and complete CSST documentation. The remainder is protected research time.
ACLs are fully integrated into the training programmes of the rheumatology specialist trainees and rotate through departments in South East London on a 12 monthly rotational basis.