TY - JOUR T1 - Examination of national survey data regarding academic foundation training during the COVID-19 pandemic second wave JF - Future Healthcare Journal JO - Future Healthc J SP - 295 LP - 300 DO - 10.7861/fhj.2022-0063 VL - 9 IS - 3 AU - Charlotte G Underwood AU - Catherine Acton AU - Bhawna Sharma AU - Alexander B Gibson AU - Natalie Walker AU - Paul Baker Y1 - 2022/11/01 UR - http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/9/3/295.abstract N2 - Aim We aimed to examine the effect of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on Academic Foundation Programme (AFP) trainees.Methods A voluntary, anonymous questionnaire was circulated to all UK AFP doctors. Data were collected from February 2021 to April 2021 then analysed.Results Of a possible 1,096 trainees, 149 responded to the survey: 48% of respondents were at least partially redeployed, 31% lost academic time and 47% had projects cancelled or postponed. In free-text responses, despite some research opportunities, frustration at lost research time and opportunities were common themes. Trainees also highlighted communication and wellbeing issues.Conclusion These results demonstrate that the overall effect of COVID-19 on this cohort cannot be underestimated. We propose that a series of measures are implemented to protect and support academic trainees. We hope that these measures would encourage high-quality academic output and help secure the development of the academic clinical workforce. ER -