Staff Profile

My background is in psychology and ergonomics, but I have been working in medical education research since 2005. I joined Newcastle University as a lecturer in 2013. Since then, I have developed and led in a number of projects with local and national partners. 

I am lead for the Education Research Theme within the Faculty of Medical Sciences, and jointly lead the NIHR Incubator for Clinical Education Research, which provides a national network for researchers across the UK.

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My view is that medical education research can be defined as the application of social science theory and method to the clinical workforce - not limited to pedagogy, nor to medicine. Reflecting that, my research interests in medical education are varied.

A common theme is the transitions clinicians make through their careers, and how that affects them. Topics my work has covered include professional identity, wellbeing, widening access to medicine and career choices. I am interested in the policy implications of research, particularly around workforce changes. Understanding the choices people make, and how the healthcare system shapes those choices, is important for addressing the current workforce crisis in healthcare.

A number of projects funded by the GMC have reflected the policy relevance of my work, with completed projects examining the work of Foundation Programme doctors, the assessment of professional behaviour, and the experience of educational and leadership roles.

I have taught on the Masters in Medical Education programme since 2013, and since 2021 have been Module Leader for the Advanced Study Module, providing an introduction to research skills, and supporting students in the development of their research projects. I also support colleagues in the delivery of other modules on the MedEd programme.

I provide supervision to MMedEd, MD and PhD students, and to clinical academic trainees undertaking education research projects.

• Articles

  • Park S, Owen-Boukra E, Burford B, Cohen T, Duddy C, Dunn H, Fadia V, Goodman C, Henry C, Lamb EI, Ogden M, Rapley T, Rees E, Vance G, Wong G. General practitioner workforce sustainability to maximise effective and equitable patient care: a realist review protocol. BMJ Open 2024, 14(5), e075189.
  • Burford B, Grieg P, Kelleher M, Merriman C, Platt A, Richards E, Davidson N, Vance G. Interprofessional simulation as an enhancement of psychological fidelity: A focus group study of medical and nursing students. Health Science Reports 2023, 6(5), e1237.
  • Burford B, Mattick K, Carrieri D, Goulding A, Gale T, Brennan N, Vance G. How is transition to medical practice shaped by a novel transitional role? A mixed methods study. BMJ Open 2023, 13, e074387.
  • Mattick K, Goulding A, Carrieri D, Brennan N, Burford B, Vance G, Dornan T. Constraints and affordances for UK doctors‐in‐training to exercise agency: A dialogical analysis. Medical Education 2023, Epub ahead of print.
  • Lamb E, Burford B, Alberti H. The impact of role modelling on the future general practitioner workforce: a systematic review. Education for Primary Care 2022, 33(5), 265-279.
  • Alao A, Burford B, Alberti H, Barton R, Moloney S, Vance G. Real-time patients' perspectives about participating in teaching consultations in primary care: A questionnaire study. Medical Teacher 2021, 43(6), 669-676.
  • Thompson N, Carter M, Crampton P, Burford B, Illing J, Morrow G. Workplace Bullying in Healthcare: A Qualitative Analysis of Bystander Experiences. The Qualitative Report 2020, 25(11).
  • Burford B, Greig P, Kelleher M, Merriman C, Platt A, Richards E, Davidson N, Vance G. Effects of a single interprofessional simulation session on medical and nursing students’ attitudes toward interprofessional learning and professional identity: A questionnaire study. BMC Medical Education 2020, 20, 65.
  • Holmes RD, Burford B, Vance G. Development and retention of the dental workforce: Findings from a regional workforce survey and symposium in England. BMC Health Services Research 2020, 20, 255.
  • Vance G, Jandial S, Scott J, Burford B. What are junior doctors for? The work of Foundation doctors in the UK: a mixed methods study. BMJ Open 2019, 9(4), e027522.
  • Martin AJ, Beska BJ, Wood G, Wyatt N, Codd A, Vance G, Burford B. Widening interest, widening participation: factors influencing school students’ aspirations to study medicine. BMC Medical Education 2018, 18, 117.
  • Codd A, Burford B, Petruso G, Davidson N, Vance G. Development and evaluation of a digistory about autistic spectrum disorder – a pilot study. Education for Primary Care 2018, 29(4), 232-236.
  • Vance GHS, Burford B, Shapiro E, Price R. Longitudinal evaluation of a pilot e-portfolio-based supervision programme for final year medical students: views of students, supervisors and new graduates. BMC Medical Education 2017, 17, 141.
  • Burford B, Rosenthal-Stott HES. First and second year medical students identify and self-stereotype more as doctors than as students: a questionnaire study. BMC Medical Education 2017, 17, 209.
  • Carter M, Thompson NJ, Crampton P, Morrow GM, Burford BC, Gray CS, Illing JC. Workplace Bullying in the NHS: Prevalence, impact and barriers to reporting. British Psychological Society’s North East England Branch (BPS NEEB) Bulletin 2015, 2, 30-35.
  • Carter M, Thompson NJ, Crampton P, Morrow GM, Burford BC, Gray CS, Illing JC. Workplace Bullying in the NHS: Prevalence, impact and barriers to reporting. British Psychological Society's North East England Branch (BPS NEEB) 2015, (2), 30-35.
  • Burford B, Vance G, Ellis E, Williamson A, Forrest I. Learning opportunities in 'student assistantships'. The Clinical Teacher 2015, 12(2), 121-127.
  • Burford B, Whittle V, Vance GHS. The relationship between medical student learning opportunities and preparedness for practice: a questionnaire study. BMC Medical Education 2014, 14, 223.
  • Burford B, Morrow G, Rothwell C, Carter M, Illing J. Professionalism education should reflect reality: Findings from three health professions. Medical Education 2014, 48(4), 361-374.
  • Burford B, Morrow G, Rothwell C, Carter M, Illing J. Professionalism education should reflect reality: Findings from three health professions. Medical Education 2014, 48(4), 361-374.
  • Morrow G, Burford B, Carter M, Illing J. Have restricted working hours reduced junior doctors' experience of fatigue? A focus group and telephone interview study. BMJ Open 2014, 4(3), e004222.
  • Carter M, Thompson N, Crampton P, Morrow G, Burford B, Gray C, Illing J. Workplace bullying in the UK NHS: a questionnaire and interview study on prevalence, impact and barriers to reporting. BMJ Open 2013, 3(6), e002628.
  • Rothwell C, Morrow G, Burford B, Illing J. Ways in which healthcare organisations can support overseas-qualified doctors in the UK. International Journal of Medical Education 2013, 4, 75-82.
  • Rothwell C, Morrow G, Burford B, Illing J. Ways in which healthcare organisations can support overseas-qualified doctohttps://doi.org/10.5116/ijme.515a.2231rs in the UK. International Journal of Medical Education 2013, 4, 75-82.
  • Illing JC, Morrow GM, Rothwell CR, Burford BC, Baldauf BK, Davies CL, Peile EB, Spencer JA, Johnson N, Allen M, Morrison J. Perceptions of UK medical graduates' preparedness for practice: A multi-centre qualitative study reflecting the importance of learning on the job. BMC Medical Education 2013, 13(1), 34.
  • Burford B, Morrow G, Morrison J, Baldauf B, Spencer J, Johnson N, Rothwell C, Peile E, Davies C, Allen M, Illing J. Newly qualified doctors' perceptions of informal learning from nurses: implications for interprofessional education and practice. Journal of Interprofessional Care 2013, 27(5), 394-400.
  • Morrow G, Rothwell C, Burford B, Illing J. Cultural dimensions in the transition of overseas medical graduates to the UK workplace. Medical Teacher 2013, 35(10), e1537-e1545.
  • Vance GHS, Williamson AS, Frearson R, Steele C, O'Connor N, Davison J, Burford B. Attitudes to an established learning portfolio. Clinical Teacher 2013, 10(1), 21-26.
  • Morrow G, Johnson N, Burford B, Rothwell C, Spencer J, Peile E, Davies C, Allen M, Baldauf B, Morrison J, Illing J. Preparedness for practice: The perceptions of medical graduates and clinical teams. Medical Teacher 2012, 34(2), 123-135.
  • Rothwell C, Burford B, Morrison J, Morrow G, Allen M, Davies C, Baldauf B, Spencer J, Johnson N, Peile E, Illing J. Junior doctors prescribing: enhancing their learning in practice. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2012, 73(2), 194-202.
  • Burford B. Group processes in medical education: Learning from social identity theory. Medical Education 2012, 46(2), 143-152.
  • Morrow G, Burford B, Redfern N, Breile R, Illing J. Does specialty training prepare doctors for senior roles? A questionnaire study of new UK consultants. Postgraduate Medical Journal 2012, 88(1044), 558-565.
  • Burford B. Conflict and power as intergroup processes: not below the surface, but part of the fabric. Medical Education 2012, 46(9), 830-832.
  • Burford B, Greco M, Bedi A, Kergon C, Morrow G, Livingston M, Illing J. Does questionnaire-based patient feedback reflect the important qualities of clinical consultations? Context, benefits and risks. Patient Education and Counseling 2011, 84(2), 28-36.
  • Campbell J, Narayanan A, Burford B, Greco M. Validation of a multi-source feedback tool for use in general practice. Education for Primary Care 2010, 21(3), 165-179.
  • Burford B, Illing J, Kergon C, Morrow G, Livingston M. User perceptions of multi-source feedback tools for junior doctors. Medical Education 2010, 44(2), 165-176.
  • Morrow G, Burford B, Kergon C, Illing J. Addressing performance concerns. British Journal of Healthcare Management 2010, 16(9), 436-442.
  • Burford B, Bedi A, Morrow G, Kergon C, Illing J, Livingston M, Greco M. Collecting patient feedback in different clinical settings: Problems and solutions. Clinical Teacher 2009, 6(4), 259-264.
  • Burford B, Hesketh A, Wakeling J, Bagnall G, Colthart I, Illing J, Kergon C, Morrow G, Spencer J, Van Zwanenberg T. Asking the right questions and getting meaningful responses: 12 tips on developing and administering a questionnaire survey for healthcare professionals. Medical Teacher 2009, 31(3), 207-211.
  • Morrow G, Illing J, Redfern N, Burford B, Kergon C, Briel R. Are specialist registrars fully prepared for the role of consultant?. Clinical Teacher 2009, 6(2), 87-90.
  • Hrisos S, Illing JC, Burford BC. Portfolio learning for foundation doctors: Early feedback on its use in the clinical workplace. Medical Education 2008, 42(2), 214-223.

• Book Chapter

  • Burford B, Rosenthal-Stott HES. Stereotyping and the development of clinicians' professional identities. In: Mavor, KI; Platow, MJ; Bizumic, B, ed. Self and Social Identity in Educational Contexts. Routledge, 2017.

• Conference Proceedings (inc. Abstracts)

  • Lamb E, Burford B, Exley C, Vance G, Wass V, Alberti H. Supporting medical students towards careers in general practice through maximising the potential of role modelling, what works, for whom and in what circumstances: A realist review. In: Population Health Sciences Institute Spring research event. 2024, Newcastle upon Tyne.
  • Yong JL, Roberts G, Burford B. The effects of reflection on self-efficacy for clinical skills: a mixed methods study amongst preclinical students. In: ASME Annual Scientific Meeting - Developing a Diverse Workforce. 2023, Birmingham, UK: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
  • Lamb E, Alberti H, Vance G, Burford B. Supporting medical students towards careers in general practice through maximising the potential of role modelling, what works, for whom and in what circumstances: a realist review protocol. In: NIHR Academy Conference. 2023, Leeds.
  • Roberts G, Hill S, Bussey S, Thewlis D, Bregazzi R, Burford B. Exploring the extent of correlation between postgraduate student engagement and academic achievement. In: ASME Annual Scientific Meeting - Developing a Diverse Workforce. 2023, Birmingham, UK: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
  • Hill S, Bussey S, Roberts G, Burford B, Thewlis D, Bregazzi R. Establishing learning communities in an online postgraduate student cohort – adapting to student feedback. In: ASME Annual Scientific Meeting - Developing a Diverse Workforce. 2023, Birmingham, UK: Association for the Study of Medical Education.
  • Bussey S, Burford B, Aitken G, Page M. Destination, interest, and challenges of graduates from postgraduate education programmes in relation to careers in clinical education research. Phase 1 summary of an NIHR funded project . In: ASME Annual Scientific Meeting - Developing a Diverse Workforce. 2023, Birmingham, UK: Association for the Study of Medical Education.
  • Holmes RD, Vance G, Burford B. Dental Graduates' Transition into Practice: A Mixed-Methods Study. In: 2020 IADR/AADR/CADR General Session. 2020, Washington DC, USA: International Association for Dental Research.
  • Alao A, Burford B, Hrisos S, Alberti H, Kennedy D, Barton R, Vance G. Active participation of ‘real-time’ patients in undergraduate medical education: a qualitative study. In: British Journal of General Practice Research Conference. 2019, London: British Journal of General Practice.
  • Burford B, Vance G, Kennedy DJ. The relationship between medical students’ identity and stress: A longitudinal questionnaire study. In: Association for the Study of Medical Education Annual Scientific Meeting. 2018, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK: Association for the Study of Medical Education.
  • Burford B, Alberti H, Kennedy DJ. Experience and role models: How medical students describe influences on specialty preference. In: Association for the Study of Medical Education Annual Scientific Meeting. 2018, Gateshead, UK: Association for the Study of Medical Education.
  • Finnamore H, Alao A, Alberti H, Kennedy DJ, Burford B, Hrisos S, Vance G. Empowerment and Opportunity in Primary Care: Enhancing the Real-time Patients’ Journey through Undergraduate Medical Education. In: Association for the Study of Medical Education Annual Scientific Meeting. 2018, Gateshead, UK: Association for the Study of Medical Education.
  • Alao A, Burford B, Alberti H, Hrisos S, Kennedy D, Vance G. Active participation of 'real-time' patients in undergraduate medical education. In: Association for the Study of Medical Education Annual Scientific Meeting. 2017, Exeter, UK: Association for the Study of Medical Education.
  • Burford B, Kennedy D, Vance G. Students’ early experience of medical school: adjustments and identity. In: The Association for Medical Education in Europe AMEE 2015. 2015, Glasgow, UK: Association for Medical Education in Europe.
  • Carter M, Burford B, Rothwell C, Morrow G, McLachlan J, Hesselgreaves H, Illing J. Measuring professionalism in paramedics (Oral presentation). In: Ottawa Medical Education Conference. 2014, Ottawa, Canada.

• Confidential Report

  • Burford B, Medford W, Carter M, Tiffin P, Vance G, Corbett S, Shapiro E, Guilding C, Illing J. The Health Education Quality Framework and National Education and Training Survey: Evidence, Evaluation and Pilot. 2017.

• Editorial

  • Burford B, Vance G. When I say ... preparedness. Medical Education 2014, 48(9), 849-850.

• Letter

  • Burford B, Alberti H, Kennedy D. Early career intentions of medical students: are we selecting the graduates we need for the 21st century?. Education for Primary Care 2017, 28(6), 354-355.

• Reports

  • Burford B, Vance G, Rothwell C, Scott J, Jones S. A Qualitative evaluation of the GMC's trainer recognition framework. Final Report. London: General Medical Council. Newcastle: Newcastle University, 2019.
  • Vance G, Burford B. New models of learning in practice. 2018.
  • Burford B, Rothwell C, Beyer F, Tanner L, Vance G. Best Practice in the Assessment of Competence: A Literature Review. London: General Medical Council, 2018.
  • Burford B, Medford W, Carter M, Tiffin P, Vance G, Corbett S, Shapiro E, Guilding C, Illing J. The Health Education Quality Framework and National Education and Training Survey: Evidence, Evaluation and Pilot. Final report for Health Education England. Health Education England, 2017.
  • Carter M, Hesselgreaves H, Rothwell C, Crampton P, Burford B, McLachlan J, Illing J. Measuring professionalism as a multi-dimensional construct: Professionalism and Conscientiousness in Healthcare Professionals – Study 2. Final report for the HCPC. Centre for Medical Education Research, Durham University; School of Medical Education, Newcastle University, 2015.
  • Vance G, Burford B, Jandial S, Scott J. Identifying the work activities performed by doctors in the Foundation Programme. 2015.
  • Morrow G, Burford B, Carter M, Illing J. Impact of the Working Time Regulations on Medical Education and Training: Report on Primary Research. Durham: Durham University, Centre for Medical Education Research, 2012. Report for the General Medical Council.
  • Morrow G, Burford B, Carter M, Illing J. Impact of the Working Time Regulations on Medical Education and Training: Literature Review. Durham: Durham University, Centre for Medical Education Research, 2012. Report for the General Medical Council.
  • Illing J, Carter M, Thompson N, Crampton PES, Morrow G, Howse JH, Cooke A, Burford B. Evidence synthesis on the occurrence, causes, consequences, prevention and management of bullying and harassing behaviours to inform decision-making in the NHS. Durham: Durham University, School of Medicine, Pharmacy & Health, 2012. Report for NIHR HS&DR.
  • Burford B, Morrow G, Rothwell C, Carter M, Illing J, McLachlan J. Professionalism in Healthcare Professions. Progress report for Study 2 – Development of quantitative approaches to professionalism. London: Health Professions Council, 2011.
  • Morrow G, Burford B, Rothwell C, Carter M, McLachlan J, Illing J. Professionalism in Healthcare Professions. Final report for Study 1 – Perceptions of Professionalism. London: Health Professions Council, 2011.
  • Jelley D, Morrow G, Kergon C, Burford B, Wright P, Illing J. Revalidation processes for sessional GPs: A feasibility study to pilot current proposals. Report to the Royal College of General Practitioners, April 2010. 2010.
  • Illing J, Morrow G, Kergon C, Burford B, Spencer J, Peile E, Davies C, Baldauf B, Allen M, Johnson N, Morrison J, Donaldson M, Whitelaw M, Field M. How prepared are medical graduates to being practice? A comparions of three diverse medical schools. Final report to the GMC Education Committee. Newcastle upon Tyne: Newcastle, Warwick and Glasgow Universities, 2008.
  • Illing J, Morrow G, Kergon C, Burford B, Spencer J, Peile E, Davies C, Baldauf B, Allen M, Johnson N, Morrison J, Donaldson M, Whitelaw M, Field M. How prepared are medical graduates to begin practice? Final summary and conclusions for the GMC Education Committee, September 2008. 2008.
  • Illing J, Burford B, Campbell M, Morrow G, Kergon C, Thompson N, Crampton P. Extending Professional Regulation: Models of regulation and their applicability to healthcare. Report for the Department of Health Extending Professional Regulation Working Group, December 2008. 2008.