1 . The JCHST wishes to advise Postgraduate Deans not to give points for research
when short-listing candidates for SpR appointments unless the research has either:
Been written up and submitted for a higher degree and there is a satisfactory
reference from the research supervisor
Resulted in a peer reviewed publication (either accepted or published)
A higher degree has been awarded
2. Trainees who have been appointed to HST following a period of full time research may have twelve months of research recognised towards their higher surgical training provided evidence is provided to the relevant SAC that the research has met at least one of the following minimum criteria:
Been written up and submitted for a higher degree and there is a satisfactory reference from the research supervisor
Has resulted in a peer reviewed publication which the SAC considers to be of an appropriate level (either accepted or published)
A higher degree has been awarded
3. Trainees who undertake a period of full time research during their higher surgical training should not be given recognition of this time until they can provide evidence that their research has resulted in a substantive outcome as stated above i.e. their CCST date will be extended automatically if they enter research and trainees will need to show evidence of the outcome of their research to have their CCST date amended to recognise research. A clear timescale for writing up research should be agreed at RITAs.
4. Section B15 on the recognition of research in the Manual of Higher Surgical Training should be amended so that presentation at appropriate scientific meetings is no longer sufficient evidence of substantive outcome of a period of full time research. In future trainees will have to show that their research has either:
Been written up and submitted for a higher degree and there is a satisfactory
reference from the research supervisor
Resulted in a peer reviewed publication which the SAC considers to be of an appropriate level (either accepted or published)
A higher degree has been awarded
5. The current advice that SpRs should request recognition of their research as early in their HST as possible should stand.
The JCHST have agreed these proposals with effect from January 200'. The Manual of Higher Surgical Training will be amended. These changes apply to all SpRs appointed on or after 1 January 2004 and, for current SpRs, all full time research projects begun on or after 1 January 2004.