Clinical academia is where the worlds of healthcare and learning intersect. In order to treat patients with up-to-date, evidence-based treatments, it is vital that a subset of clinicians engage in cutting-edge teaching and research that advance our understanding of ill health and disease. The knowledge generated by clinical academics leads to new medicines, vaccines, therapies and technologies, that drive improvements in patient care and public health. In addition clinical academics are responsible for training the next generation of healthcare professionals.
There is enormous variety in the range of clinical academic career options. Research and teaching are driving innovation in medicine, nursing, dentistry and many other fields. These discoveries not only lead to better patient outcomes but they greatly enhance the job satisfaction of the clinical academic too.