Nature, costs and benefits of clinical travelling fellowships

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONMany trainee doctors and consultants visit clinical units abroad for a period of specialised training. There are a number of grants available from professional and other bodies that provide a variable degree of financial assistance for these doctors but there is little information about the nature, costs and benefits of these training opportunities.METHODSThis 11-year analysis of 385 applications to the Hospital Corporation of America International Foundation for financial support to train abroad was coupled with a detailed questionnaire to 127 UK doctors who received an award following an interview process.RESULTSThere were an average of 11 annual awards, with a mean value of £5,600 (range: £1,000-£15,000). Trainees (predominantly ST7 and ST8 level) were the main applicants (60%) and award winners (71%). The applications were for variable time periods (from 1 month to over 24 months) and to clinical units throughout the world, the favoured locations being America, Canada and Australia. The surgical specialties were the most sought after for training (77%). There were 4.7 times more male than female applicants.CONCLUSIONSThis paper discusses the benefits of travelling fellowships as recorded by grant recipients, three-quarters of whom were applying their overseas clinical experience back in the National Health Service. However, the overall costs of travel frequently exceed doctors' expectations and the need for extra financial support for overseas fellowships is clear.