Dr Anna Stewart, specialty registrar in clinical pharmacology, general internal medicine honorary lecturer, University of Liverpool
What do you do? and what is a typical week for you?
I am a less than full time trainee in clinical pharmacology. My current role involves rotating through three four-month rotations in research, a phase one clinical research unit and a dedicated clinical pharmacology inpatient ward. Out of hours I am on the general medical on call Rota for 9 months and on call for clinical trials for 3 months per year. My typical week is therefore completely variable depending on my rotation. This allows me to gain a wealth of clinical and research experience with a particular focus on clinical trials.
I work 60% Monday-Wednesday plus on calls (up to 28 hours).
Clinical week - Ward rounds involving complex medical patients (general medicine, toxicology/ poisoning and adverse drug reactions); tertiary hypertension clinic; teaching medical students (bedside and lectures).
Research/ Clinical trials week – ‘On the job’ research experience including recruiting patients, writing and reviewing research protocols, giving drugs to healthy volunteers for the first time (phase 1 clinical trials).
What qualifications and experience do you have?
I graduated with honors from the University of Liverpool in 2009. I completed my MRCP membership exams in 2012. I undertook an Academic Clinical Fellowship in Clinical Pharmacology for 3 years from ST1-ST3. I gained significant research experience setting up my own cross-sectional multi-site study in patients on stable dose warfarin.
What’s the most interesting aspect of your job?
The variety in training and differing career paths the specialty offers. Clinical Pharmacologists are in a unique position in which research experience is actively encouraged during NHS time. As a generalist, I am better placed to treat my patients with complex conditions that affect multiple organs. I am passionate about developing my expertise in the safe use of medicines.
What are your research interests?
Personalised medicines and anticoagulation. I am interested in improving the treatment decisions for patients on warfarin. Pharmacogenetics (an individual’s genes) plays a significant role in an individual’s response to warfarin. I am currently in the process of developing a new pharmacogentic algorithm for patients on warfarin with renal impairment and those who require a higher INR for a mechanical heart valve. By stratifying patients into different cohorts my ultimate goal is to improve the safety and treatment outcomes of patients on warfarin.
What one piece of advice would you give to someone seeking a career in clinical pharmacology?
Speak to any of us, ask questions and come and do a taster week!