STARSurg: DISCOVER Protocol Launch and Research Skills Course
Thomas Drake, University of Sheffield, STARSurg Steering Committee
Background
STARSurg (Student Audit and Research and Surgery) collaborative is a dynamic group of medical students and junior doctors committed to delivering high- quality research and dissemination of scientific best-practice.
Meeting
The inaugural STARSurg research skills course was held in the morning of the annual STARSurg project launch meeting at the Royal College of Surgeons of London. The morning sessions were designed to provide an introduction to the key principles underpinning clinical research, prior to the project launch in the afternoon. A key component of this course was the Institute of Medical Ethics (IME) clinical research ethics session.
Delivered by Mr. Andi Beamish, research fellow at the Royal College, delegates heard about the importance of research ethics and probity in modern practice. The historical foundations of ethical practice were discussed, including the Nuremburg code and the declaration of Helsinki. Lessons learned from historical events were then applied to modern day research questions, with an interactive quiz to test knowledge.
Mr. Beamish went on to discuss how the research ethics process within the UK is constructed and the considerations which must be incorporated into successful applications.
Later in the day, participants had the opportunity to apply the skills acquired during the research skills course to discussion of the new STARSurg DISCOVER project protocol.
170 delegates attending the meeting from a total of 24 medical schools around the UK and Ireland. Feedback was consistently positive and included commendation on the content, faculty, organisation and meeting surroundings.
Future Vision
The STARSurg Research Skills course, including the clinical research ethics module, will be available for all those interested to undertake online from early 2015 onwards. We hope this will inform and empower the next generation of clinical researchers.
For further information or to sign up to the STARSurg research skills for 2015, please visit:
Conference Convenor- James Glasbey, Foundation year ASiT rep and academic foundation doctor.
Event Organisers
Mr Aneel Bhangu, Surgical registrar and lecturer in general surgery, University of Birmingham
Dr. Stephen Chapman, Academic Foundation Doctor, South Yorkshire Deanery,
Mr. Thomas Drake, Fourth year medical student, Sheffield University
Dr. James Glasbey, Academic Foundation Doctor, Welsh Deanery
Mr. Edward Fitzgerald, General Surgery Registrar, Barnet and Chase Farm Hospital
Dr. Michael Kelly, Foundation Doctor, Mersey Deanery
Mr. Chetan Khatri, Final year medical student, Imperial College
Mr. Chia Kong, Fourth year medical student, University of Glasgow
Miss Harriet Mitchell, Third year medical student, Bristol University
Dr. Dmitri Nepogodiev, Academic Clinical Fellow in General Surgery, University Hospital, Birmingham.
References
1. The STARSurg Collaborative. Impact of postoperative non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on adverse events after gastrointestinal surgery, BJS 2014; 101: 1413-1423.