TY - JOUR T1 - The value of a pleural fellowship post JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J DO - 10.1183/13993003.congress-2021.PA530 VL - 58 IS - suppl 65 SP - PA530 AU - Lewis Standing AU - Karl Jackson AU - Ben Teng AU - Avinash Aujayeb Y1 - 2021/09/05 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/58/suppl_65/PA530.abstract N2 - Introduction: Pleural disease requires additional training for procedural competencies and research. We have a well-established pleural service. After a business case application, we have offered a yearly pleural fellowship (PF) through open applications, funded from respiratory and acute medicine budgets in our NHS Foundation Trust. There have been four fellows in 5 years; one has continued their fellowship post since the first Covid-19 outbreak in the UK.Methods: A quantitative review of the PF using an electronic questionnaire was done. Descriptive statistical methodology was applied and thematic analysis evaluated free-text responses.Results: Response rate was 100%. Mean time in PF was 12.5 months (range 9-17). Two were appointed before respiratory speciality training, one during and one after. Competency and autonomy at advanced pleural procedures was achieved by all. 31 scientific abstracts/publications were achieved {mean 6 (range 1-24)}. New services developed were ambulatory pneumothorax and day-case medical thoracoscopy. Three developed similar services elsewhere and one is a service lead. Common themes in the free text were service and procedural skills development and research opportunities. All delivered regional thoracic ultrasound and pleural teaching. Average number of procedures per fellow, per year is 82.6.Conclusions: PF provides trainees with a valuable opportunity to develop their clinical and academic competencies, irrespective of level of training. A PF post is beneficial for an NHS foundation trust and associated with cost-saving through service development of day case procedures in line with the NHS Best Practice Tariffs and the fellows performing many procedures which would otherwise consume consultant time.FootnotesCite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2021; 58: Suppl. 65, PA530.This abstract was presented at the 2021 ERS International Congress, in session “Prediction of exacerbations in patients with COPD”.This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only). ER -