What is a MEF?
There is a general expectation and assumption that all doctors in postgraduate training (doctors) will to some extent engage in, and be involved with teaching and education. Some doctors undertake considerably more educational activity than is expected of their level and this should be recognised more formally. These doctors may be suitable for appointment to the role of a Medical Education Fellow. This role has been developed to help professionalise educational activities as well as to produce educationally minded professionals who are able to take up Lead Educator positions at the end of training.
If you are appointed to the role of a MEF you will receive a certificate of acknowledgment for your portfolio. You will also receive a 12-month contract which is intended to formalise the role of MEF, and ensure accountability from NHSE Wessex to you and vice versa. The contract will be renewed on an annual basis following an appraisal process during which you will be expected to provide a report of your educational activity and evidence that you have fulfilled the expectations of your role to the deanery.
If you need further information, or wish to contact us after reading the next few pages please do so by emailing england.PDU.WX@nhs.net.
What is Expected of our Fellows?
Although we accept that by definition of your appointment you are already busy the deanery does expect a level of commitment to the role:
- Give active input to the work of the NHSE Wessex team e.g. Trainee representative on working groups, project work, teaching activities, mentoring and facilitation.
- Continue to develop as an educationalist and professionalise educational interest with academic qualification.
- Engage in educational research.
- Undergo a yearly appraisal of educational activity appraisal form. This appraisal is an informal meeting at Southern House with Dr Phil Rushton and the MEF Leads. You are expected to complete the activity form above and a copy of your CV a week in advance of the meeting. You do not need to wear a suit or bring a portfolio unless you have some specific project work you wish to share. It is a truly developmental meeting where you have the opportunity to reflect on your educational achievements in the previous year, think about where you want to take these in the next year and receive advice and support on how you might achieve these goals.
- Attend a minimum of at least two MEF meetings per year.
- Contribute to the organisation of (and attend) the annual education conference.
MEF projects
Present and ongoing projects
The following is a list of current and ongoing projects that our MEFs are involved with:
- The Annual Wessex Medical Education Conference
- Tomorrow’s Teachers (1, 2, faculty and franchise)
- Doctor Development and Mentorship
- Represent doctors on review panel hearings
- Doctors in postgraduate training representation on the Trainee Advisory Group
- Educational resources
- Doctors in postgraduate training presence at Wessex induction/bmjcareers fair
- Undergraduate projects
- Using technology for teaching
- Faculty members on local and national courses
- Development of new training opportunities
- Favourable Event Reporting Forms (FERF)
Previous projects
The following is a list of previous projects that MEFs have been involved in:
- Educational supervisor development – Dr Poppy Mackie
- Trainee perspectives of educational supervision – Dr Kate Wiles
- Supporting doctors in difficulty – Dr Sarah Beaney
- Marker motivation in undergraduate assessments – Dr Andy Claridge
- Quality assurance – Mr Mark Szymankiewicz
- Evaluation of work based learning – Dr Adetokunbo Osunrinade
- Validity of the OSCE and simulated patients in the FRCPsych – Dr Adetokunbo Osunrinade
- Teaching quality improvement at Salisbury District Hospital – Dr Ellen Taylor
- Selection criteria for core trainees – Miss Nikki Kelsall
- Supporting the leadership fellows – Dr Nikki Cohen
- Medfest 2012 (National Medical Film Festival) event at Southampton on 8 February 2012 chaired by Dr Larissa Ryan
Becoming a MEF
Details about the role and the application process can be found on our Appointment as a Medical Education Fellow page.