Please note: these internships are only available to current undergraduate students in Lancaster University Medical School.
This internship is offered as part of an exciting pilot of research opportunities for Medical School undergraduate students (MBChB and SaES). Each internship will be supervised by an academic member of staff. These opportunities are designed to give students experience of contributing to university research. These internships would be ideal for students considering postgraduate study, intercalated degrees or specialised foundation programmes.
Project Summary:
Peer-reflective learning (Balint) groups are an established educational programme for developing reflective practice. It has primarily been used in psychiatry and primary care. In the northwest, we are piloting their use for emergency medicine trainees. There is limited research on the broader benefits of Balint groups or their application outside of primary care and psychiatry. The available literature is unlikely to be amenable to synthesis through a systematic review.
The project involves designing and completing a scoping review on the impact of Balint groups on burnout, resilience, perceptions of work, and retention. The supervisor will provide a worked example, clear written guidance, and regular meetings and email support. The intern will also be signposted to broader research development opportunities within the university, such as seminars, lectures, and courses, as well as external opportunities with organisations with which the supervisor is affiliated.
Interview Date: Early February 2026 - TBC
Start Date: Mid-February 2026
End Date: End of August 2026
Working Pattern: Up to 25 hours per week across 16 weeks (with some flexibility over vacation periods)
Location: Work from home, the campus library, or use the hot desk space in Health Innovation One.