GP Registrar Says Academic Post Program Changed His Career Direction
26 May 2026
Dr Sam Gerami recently completed the 2025 Academic Post Program and says the experience gave him opportunities he may not have accessed so early in his career.
The Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Academic Post Program is a 12-month, part-time academic training term for GP registrars. It allows participants to complete research projects, teach medical students, and develop skills in medical education and critical thinking while continuing clinical training.
Dr Gerami originally planned to focus mainly on teaching alongside general practice, but during the program he discovered a strong interest in research. He is now preparing a grant proposal to begin a PhD next year and expects to publish his first lead-author research paper later in 2026.
Working with the University of Sydney, Dr Gerami’s project explored how GPs manage vaping in patients. His research included surveys sent to around 2500 GPs and follow-up interviews to better understand clinical decision-making around vaping interventions.
The program combines academic work with clinical practice. Dr Gerami spent part of his week in general practice and the remainder working on research and teaching activities at university.
He says balancing research with clinical work can help reduce burnout by giving doctors variety in their workload while still allowing them to provide ongoing patient care.
Applications for the 2027 AGPT Academic Post Program are now open, with 23 positions available nationally, including specialised academic posts focused on Indigenous health, PhD pathways, and medical publishing.
Dr Gerami encourages registrars with even a small interest in research or teaching to apply, describing the program as a “transformative experience” that can open unexpected career opportunities.
GP Registrar Says Academic Post Program Changed His Career Direction
Source: newsGP