Clinical Education

General Psychiatry 

A structured educational program on metabolic monitoring in people with Severe Mental Illness (SMI) for medical students, psychiatry trainees and non-medical staff; and its evaluation

Supervisors: Dr Hari Subramaniam (hs504@leicester.ac.uk) , Dr Lucy Beishon (lb330@leicester.ac.uk), Dr Rachel Winter (rw205@leicester.ac.uk) and Professor Elizabeta Mukaetova Ladinska (eml12@leicester.ac.uk)

Physical ill health is the most significant factor in the widening mortality gap between SMI and the general population (1). Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality worldwide (2). a major cause of death in SMI (3) with CVD increasing with age (4). The relationship is bidirectional, and those with CVD are also at higher risk of adverse mental health (4).  People on antipsychotic drugs suffer adverse physical and metabolic outcomes. Improved understanding of cardiovascular and metabolic risks associated with drugs used to treat SMI have identified that much of these risks are modifiable through better provision and access to physical healthcare in patients with SMI. This needs a targeted and focussed approach to improve training and education of professionals.

Few structured medical education training programmes for doctors and other professionals include teaching in assessing and managing cardiometabolic risks in SMI patients. This project involves the development of a structured educational program for medical students, psychiatry trainees and non-medical staff to improve skills in the assessment and management of cardiometabolic syndromes and their risk factors in psychiatric patients and to evaluate its implementation and outcomes. The Fellow will explore the methods of learning used by patients and professionals and what techniques help with retaining the learning long term.

The Fellow will develop research skills in systematic reviews, qualitative interviews, and implementation of the learning. They will co-produce the teaching programme with educators and the provider NHS trust. By the end of the ACF, the Fellow will have a number of peer-reviewed articles, helping advancement in their career and may have opportunities to undertake applications to obtain funding for a PhD.

Empathy all specialities 

Supervisor: Professor Jeremy Howick (jh815@leicester.ac.uk)

The transformative Stoneygate Centre for Empathic Healthcare at the University of Leicester is a dynamic Centre for Excellence revolutionizing medical education, professional development, and NHS culture. Early Centre successes include influential publications, the Centre opening by Professor Sir Jonathan Van Tam, as well as influence with local NHS leaders and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

As an Academic Clinical Fellow (ACF) under Professor Jeremy Howick’s supervision, you’ll develop research skills in randomized trials, systematic reviews, qualitative interviews, and implementation studies. You’ll contribute to one of the Centre’s innovative research streams:

1. AI and Empathy: Explore how artificial intelligence can enhance empathy and empathy training in healthcare.
2. Empathy in Professional Development: Design and evaluate empathy-focused courses for healthcare professionals.
3. Empathic Leadership: Advance leadership strategies that foster empathy within healthcare.

By the end of the fellowship, you’ll have:

• Published at least one peer-reviewed article
• Advanced your clinical academic career with (if desired) potential PhD funding.
• Enhanced your ability to deliver compassionate, patient-centered care.
• Developed your teaching portfolio.

The Centre team and Director have a strong track record in mentoring and developing junior clinical academics’ methodological and academic skills.