RACGP opens next round of PhD top-up scholarships

Applications opened on 2 September for the RACGP Foundation’s PhD top-up scholarships, which are designed to support GPs and GPs in training to undertake PhD research in 2025.
 
As part of the top-up scholarship program, efforts to better support GPs in training and ensure a smooth career journey while maintaining work–life balance are underway via a Sydney-based project.
 
One of last year’s scholarship recipients is Dr Michael Tran, a GP academic, currently doing part-time clinical work in Sydney, and part time as an academic at the University of New South Wales.
 
Dr Tran’s PhD explores the transitions experienced by general practice registrars as they progress from the beginning of postgraduate vocational training towards independent practice.
 
He told newsGP it covers ‘a lot of ground’, including pedagogical theory, the transformation from novice to being ready to practice independently, and notions of professional identity formation.
 
‘It matters because we know that general practice training is a challenging and often difficult process,’ Dr Tran said.
 
‘Specific training requirements include the need to rotate to different practices and manage a very broad range of conditions and patients all in the context of great clinical uncertainty and geographically and professionally isolated practices.
 
‘What experiences then are challenging, but formative, and which are adverse and likely to cause problems? Distinguishing between these will help us focus our efforts in support and education of registrars, to avoid attrition and burnout and support ongoing professional development and readiness to work as, and be, a GP.’
 
Now in its second year, the PhD top-up scholarship program offers $25,000 per year for a maximum 3.5 years for full-time PhD candidates, or pro-rata for a maximum of seven years for part-time candidates. In partnership with university departments of general practice, an academic GP is also actively involved in the supervision of the candidate’s research.
 
The program provides a peer cohort experience and where possible, opportunities for networking and industry placements within the RACGP.
 
Dr Tran feels ‘incredibly honoured’ to be a recipient of the scholarship, saying that general practice-based research is often unfunded, small scale and done informally, with academic GPs working in relative isolation. 
 
‘It is validating to have the recognition and support of the college, especially in a climate where GP-based research can so often fail to find traction outside of the primary care environment,’ he said.
 
‘It is also recognition of the value and utility of the research project … and recognises the challenges of being a GP academic interested in research, which is often associated with a financial disincentive – as opposed to working solely in clinical practice.
 
‘To be a recipient of this scholarship is encouragement to keep going.’

Dr Michael Tran presenting at the Australasian Association for Academic Primary Care conference on 16 August in Sydney. (Image: supplied)
 
The benefits of general practice research are recognised as providing more robust evidence to translate into clinical practice and decision making, with the RACGP calling for a national practice-based research network to be established.
 
And it is essential that GPs are engaged in research processes, at whatever level is practical, according to Dr Tran.
 
‘This may be anywhere from being a participant, to being involved in a GP research network, to planning and conducting research, and also to the dissemination of research by teaching and advocacy,’ he said.
 
‘We are faced with a situation where a significant proportion of the studies used to inform national guidelines and our own practice, were not conducted in the general practice setting.
 
‘We also know that GPs are less likely to follow guidelines that are not clearly applicable to their own practice context. So we need to be the change that enables research to be more meaningful to GPs, with research that is conducted by GPs, for GPs.’ 
 
Applications for the Foundation’s PhD top-up scholarships are open to those undertaking a research project that is directly relevant to general practice and the RACGP’s strategic objectives, as outlined in its 2022–25 operating plan.
 
Dr Tran encourages others to apply for the newly opened scholarships for the 2025 intake.
 
‘It provides an opportunity to be recognised for you undertaking a PhD in general practice research to advance our overall capacity and understanding in the field, from within the profession,’ he said.
 
‘It is also encouragement for those completing higher degrees by research in general practice to reach out and get to know others who are doing the same thing, to strengthen this community of practice across Australia.
 
‘This should be encouraged, regardless of the outcome of any application to the scholarship.’
 
More information about the PhD scholarships program, including eligibility and to apply, is available on the RACGP Foundation website. Applications close 1 November at 5.00 pm (AEDT).
 
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