Being a clinical academic means to balance your time between both treating patients and conducting research in order to advance in the medical field, which is done by discovering more methods on preventing, treating and diagnosis different diseases. With their direct experience, they can understand the needs of patients in order to steer research priorities whilst bringing these latest discoveries straight to the patients.
This link is vital as it ensures that medical discoveries can change lives by reaching these patients. On top of this, medical research has an annual economic gain of 25p on every £1 invested, with these clinical academics attracting more money towards inward investments which then leads to spinout companies.
Published earlier this year was a report that revealed a 6% decline in clinical academics since 2012. Additionally, senior lecturer positions within the medical field has fallen by 24% with NHS consultants rising by over 50%.
Things are predicted to worsen as a higher proportion of senior academics are nearing retirement and the intake of entrants is continuing to decline. If this continues, the UK's capacity to maintain a position as a global health research leader could be in jeopardy alongside a threat towards the future of patient care.
"Things are predicted to worsen as a higher proportion of senior academics are nearing retirement and the intake of entrants is continuing to decline."
The OSCHR have written a report including recommendations to increase the number of permanent clinical academic posts every year. A statement of ambition and intent was created relating to this report, with signatories coming from a variety of organisations including the MRC, Welcome and Cancer Research UK. The statement recognises the need for an increase as "a shared, UK-wide endeavour" which requires different schemes and funding partnerships between academia, the industry, the NHS and external funders.
Together, the signatories committed to 5 actions that encompass the OSCHR recommendations which include advancing the clinical workforce through investment, inclusive advocacy and integrated research leadership. With these actions in place, an inclusive and research-driven system, where innovation and opportunity benefits all, can be built.