A tale of two surgeons

The Clinical Trials Australia and New Zealand builds on its success with the support and participation of Fellows, surgical Trainees, junior doctors and medical students

The RACS Clinical Trials Australia and New Zealand (CTANZ) continues to build on its successes, which would not have been possible without the support and participation of keen Fellows, surgical Trainees, junior doctors and medical students. The energy and enthusiasm of our network members have been the key to ensuring that the multicentred national and global collaborative projects that CTANZ has been involved with have delivered on stated outcomes. Put simply, the CTANZ model (a network of multicentred collaboratives) works because of its people. Associate Professor Tarik Sammour is a Surgical Specialty Lead (SSL) for STARC (South Australian Trainees Audit & Research Collaborative) and Dr Su Kah Goh is Co-Chair (Trainee Lead) for VERITAS (Victorian Collaborative for Education, Research, Innovation, Training and Audit by Surgical Trainees). Both have contributed to many collaborative studies including the COVIDSurg series, COVIDCARE, Single Use Negative pRessure dressings for Reduction In Surgical site infection following Emergency Laparotomy (SUNRRISE) Trial, PeRiOperative Timing in EleCtive Thromboprophylaxis in General surgery (PROTECTinG), POST operative Variability in anaemia Treatment and Transfusion (POSTVenTT) and Survey to evaluate the Outpatient clinic experience in Surgical education and training using cloud based resources (SOS). In this Q and A, we ask Associate Professor Tarik Sammour (TS) and Dr Su Kah Goh (SKG) on what it means to be a part of the CTANZ collaborative. What about a CTANZ supported studies drew you in to participate? TS: I was inspired to participate because of CTANZ’s collaborative nature and adequate power in study designs that are statistically rigorous. That way we are confident about the findings of our studies. SKG: Multicentre Trainee-led collaborative enables the study of clinically relevant questions. The findings from these studies can potentially improve current clinical practices. Participating in these studies encourages collaborators of all levels — from interns to consultants — to interact and work together. Why did you put your hand up to be the

SSL/Trainee lead? TS: I was asked to be an SSL and felt it was a privilege to be able to support these projects. It was particularly vital to foster Trainees and students when getting the CTANZ initiative up and running in its early stages. SKG: VERITAS has a growing track record of successfully conducting multicentre Trainee led collaborative studies including SOS, PROTECTing, and COVIDCARE. Along with my co-chair, David Liu, we were invited to participate in the POSTVENtt study as state leads. It was a privilege for us to coordinate the participation of 14 Victorian regional and metropolitan hospitals and oversee the completion of this unique prospective study on the impacts of anaemia in major surgery. What learnings can you pass onto the next person who will fill this position? TS: Always be mindful that CTANZ projects exist to foster Trainee-led and executed projects, with the SSL serving as support, rather than the other way around.

SKG: As a Trainee lead, you will learn that a lot can be achieved in a very short time. Teamwork is key and you will learn the importance of being a team player. Sound leadership and

communication skills are critical in ensuring tasks are appropriately prioritised and research objectives are met.

What areas can we improve on? TS: Better capture of ANZ hospitals, both small and large. Less reliance on Trainees and students that are already in full-time research roles. Facilitation of ethics applications and minimisation of administration and paperwork to make conducting research easier and more enjoyable, rather than unnecessarily onerous.

SKG: Ethics and governance approval. In my experience, seeking governance across multiple hospital sites can be both challenging and costly. Recognition of collaborative studies and streamlining governance would certainly encourage wider participation. How has being the SSL/Trainee lead for a collaborative study helped with your communication and leadership skills? TS: It has opened more possibilities for national and international collaboration and communication.

SKG: Communication and leadership are part of the RACS competencies. Participating in a collaborative study has given me the opportunity to refine these skills and empowered my aspirations to be an academic surgeon. How would you describe your experience as a participant in a CTANZ endorsed study? TS: I had fun doing it and enjoyed seeing ANZ Trainees and students being involved in large projects. I felt that some of the paperwork was unnecessary and was more about ticking boxes rather than patient or research advocacy. SKG: As doctors, we always try to find better ways to help our patients. By working and learning together, we will be smarter at finding solutions to help our patients recover faster and safer. We meet once a week and we brainstorm ideas. It is fun!

Associate Professor Tarik Sammour FRACS is a colorectal surgeon with a specific interest in colorectal surgical oncology, complex pelvic malignancy and robotics. He holds a position as Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Adelaide, and a full-time public hospital appointment in the Colorectal Unit at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. He continues to pursue an active research program, focusing specifically on clinical trials to improve patient outcomes after colorectal surgery. Dr Su Kah Goh is an emerging surgeonscientist. He completed his general surgery training in 2020 and he is currently undergoing further sub-specialty training in hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery and liver transplantation. Dr Goh is the current co-chair of VERITAS, a Victorian based trainee-led research collaborative. He is involved in various collaborative research studies including SOS, COVID-CARE, PROTECTing and POSTVENtt. Recently, as the co-state lead for POSTVENtt (a CTANZ study), he coordinated, led and oversaw the participation of 14 Victorian sites.

Author: Dr Lorwai Tan

Images: Associate Professor Tarik Sammour and Dr Su Kah Goh.

3SCTS 2022

The inaugural Tri-Society Cardiac & Thoracic Symposium (3SCTS)

A meeting of Cardiac & Thoracic Surgeons, Anaesthetists and Perfusionists of Australia & New Zealand

Wednesday 16 - Saturday 19 November 2022

Abstract Submissions Close Friday 29 July 2022

Early Registration Closes Sunday 16 October 2022

Thank you to our Symposium Supporter

Thank you to our Platinum Sponsor