survey

Background The Academic Foundation Programme (AFP) is often the initial step along the Integrated Academic Training pathway in the UK. It is relatively new and research as to its effectiveness is limited. Our objective was to evaluate the AFP in terms of its impact on academic career aspirations and to explore trainees’ expectations and experience of the programme and investigate the enablers and barriers to success.

Introduction and aims: Traditionally, neurologically pristine patients with a thunderclap headache are investigated with a non-contrast computed tomography (CT) brain scan, which if negative is followed by a lumbar puncture (LP) to exclude important secondary causes, particularly subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). However, misdiagnosis of such patients is still a cause of significant human and financial cost and a regular reason for medical litigation.