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There is a general expectation and assumption that all trainees will to some extent engage in, and be involved with teaching and education. Some trainees undertake considerably more educational activity than is expected of their level and this is recognised more formally within the Wessex Deanery. 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. This role has gained the title of Medical Education Fellow ( MEF ) and competition for the title is high. Poster (pdf) If you need further information, or wish to contact us after reading the next few pages please do so by emailing julie.worthington@wessexdeanery.nhs.uk
MEF's recognised at this years Wessex Haven Educators Forum Powerpoint
Every year a committee of MEF s organise an education conference. All trainees are invited to attend at a very low cost and MEF s attend free of charge. Each year the conference has gone from strength to strength with excellent feedback from all those that attend.
Announcing the 7th Annual Wessex Education Conference (link)'Aspiring to Excellence'November 8th 2012
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 that is intended to formalise the role of MEF , and ensure accountability from the deanery 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 with evidence of having met the terms of reference. You will also be expected to demonstrate evidence that you have fulfilled the expectations of your role to the deanery (see below).
In a recent MEF meeting we discussed what we feel the benefits of our role are:
'It validates what we do''Recognition of hard/unpaid work' 'Gives us exposure to the workings and dynamics of deanery business''Its a massive career opportunity' 'Gives us access to people and resources' 'Provides peer support' 'Its a community of like minded individuals''Mentorship' 'Start of an education based career pathway''Career development' 'Gives us influence over training issues' 'Dedicated development days' 'Free conference attendance' 'Conference planning experience' 'Recognition is prospective (helping what you will do as well as what you have done)' 'Access to reduced fees on Wessex courses' 'Access to the Haven Educators forum' 'The most developmental appraisal I have ever had, where the focus was really on me rather than trust based problems' 'It gives us credibility in negotiations' 'Exposure to deanery level education issues/educators/leaders in medical education both present and future'
There are lots of changes happening at both deanery and national levels currently. Our new Dean is keen to work with the MEF 's (and other fellow's within the deanery) as his 'think tank' on issues such as reviewing the ARCP / RITA process, including MEF 's on deanery visits, using our expertise to solve quality issues, involve us at ground level with developing a faculty of Wessex Medical Educators (aimed at those who innovate and change education) and to be involved in the project "What does Wessex Deanery do?". In addition we are working on developing the profile of our fellow's and extending our role in the mentorship of more junior medical educators.
The MEF Extranet houses a forum for MEF 's only to use to chat regarding conference planning, hints and tips on teaching, advice and news etc. To sign up to the chatroom click the 'Extranet sites' link in the top right hand corner of this page and follow the instructions.
Although we accept that by definition of your appointment you are already busy the deanery does expect a level of commitment to the role: