Cara Bezinna
My PhD project focuses on enhancing our understanding of educating on multimorbidity in the undergraduate setting. As a practicing doctor, medical educator, and researcher, I've observed first-hand the impact of multimorbidity on patients, clinicians, and learners.
Throughout my clinical and academic journey as a General Practitioner (GP), I have concentrated on equipping clinicians with tools to navigate complex consultations. As an educator, I am passionate about moving beyond single-disease frameworks in our teaching. The latest iteration of Outcomes for Graduates by the General Medical Council recognizes the need for graduates to care for the increasing number of patients with multimorbidity. However, evidence on how best to develop the necessary breadth of skills remains unclear, with many medical school curricula still centred around single system models, leaving newly graduating doctors ill-prepared for the realities of modern clinical practice.
The lack of educational resources addressing multimorbidity is concerning, given its significant implications for public health. My PhD project aims to address this gap by developing and evaluating an evidence-based educational tool, drawing insights from medical students, clinical educators, and patients with multimorbidity.
Before commencing the doctoral training program, I spent two years working as an Academic Fellow in General Practice at the University of Glasgow. During this time, I completed my Master’s in Medical Education and contributed to multiple projects, including systematic reviews, and mentoring medical students.
I've been fortunate to secure grant funding for my research and have presented my work at multiple conferences. In February 2024, I organized and delivered a Symposium focused on ‘Addressing Complexity and Multimorbidity in Medical Education’. I've led various projects and evaluation efforts, collaborating with experts to drive positive change in medical education. I've served as the Strategy Lead for the Developing Medical Educators Group and chaired sessions at conferences like ASME.
My goal is to be an Academic GP with expert knowledge in educational methods for multimorbidity and complexity. With this PhD fellowship, I envision honing my research skills further, deepening my understanding of multimorbidity, and contributing meaningfully to the field. I'm excited for this training program and eager to work with my experienced supervisors to tackle this important issue.
Project Title: Improving the understanding of multimorbidity in undergraduate medical education
Primary Supervisor: Professor Lindsey Pope
Secondary Supervisors: Professor Frances Mair and Professor Sara MacDonald (University of Glasgow).
