Speciality Training Registrar in Orthodontics, Bristol Dental Hospital, UK.
Professor in Orthodontics, Bristol Dental Hospital, UK.
Br Dent J. 2021 Mar;230(5):308-313. doi: 10.1038/s41415-021-2696-6. Epub 2021 Mar 12.
Introduction Dental clinical academics are essential members of the dental workforce with roles in teaching, research and scholarship. There is currently a national shortage of UK dental clinical academics, with difficulties recruiting to all grades. In addition, there is evidence of gender inequality within academia, with segregation at a horizontal and vertical level.Aim To investigate the factors that influence a career in orthodontic clinical academia and highlight ways to improve recruitment and retention.Method A qualitative research study utilising focus groups. Purposive sampling was carried out to recruit participants at different stages of an orthodontic career. A total of eight face-to-face focus groups were conducted with 26 participants. Focus groups were split by gender and career stage. An inductive thematic analysis was used to generate themes.Results Three major themes were generated: academic career options, motivations and barriers to pursuing a clinical academic career.Conclusion This paper sheds light on the current factors affecting a career in orthodontic clinical academia. Worryingly, most dentists do not strive for an academic career and the barriers to pursuing this career option are discussed. Ways of addressing the issues facing recruitment and retention of individuals to orthodontic clinical academia are suggested.
简介 牙科临床学者是牙科工作队伍中的重要成员，他们在教学、研究和学术方面发挥着作用。目前，英国牙科临床学者短缺，各等级的招聘都存在困难。此外，学术界存在性别不平等的证据，横向和纵向都存在隔离。 目的 调查影响正畸临床学术职业的因素，并强调改善招聘和留用的方法。 方法 采用焦点小组的定性研究。采用目的性抽样，在正畸职业生涯的不同阶段招募参与者。共进行了 8 次面对面的焦点小组，共有 26 名参与者。焦点小组按性别和职业阶段进行划分。采用归纳主题分析生成主题。 结果 产生了三个主要主题：学术职业选择、追求临床学术职业的动机和障碍。 结论 本文揭示了当前影响正畸临床学术职业的因素。令人担忧的是，大多数牙医并不追求学术职业，本文讨论了追求这一职业选择的障碍。提出了解决招聘和留住正畸临床学术人员所面临问题的方法。
