TRAINEES AND STUDENTS / EDUCATION
Vital signs healthy at trauma medicine event Eminent surgeons join more than 100 attendees at the fifth annual National Student Trauma Conference in Edinburgh
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osted in conjunction with the RCSEd at the spectacular Quincentenary Hall, this year’s National Student Trauma Conference on 22 March began with a fascinating talk from Surgeon Lieutenant Commander Dan Ablett about trauma surgery in Camp Bastion and its implications for future war medicine and civilian hospitals. This was followed by three inaugural student and trainee talks. Peninsula College’s Louis Hainsworth, winner of the eoSurgical Future of Surgical Training essay competition, delivered his talk on the use of ‘gaze training’ as a method of improving surgical performance. University of Edinburgh student Ewan Kennedy informed the delegates about the collaborative student research project, STARSurg, and Leeds FY1 Dr Jim Zhong spoke about the advances and potential applications in interventional radiology in classical surgical patients. A wide range of eminent surgeons then inspired attendees with presentations on their respective fields. Mr Thanos Tsirikos, clinical director of the Scottish National Spine Deformity Centre, discussed paediatric spinal surgery. Mr Donald Sammut gave an insight into his work on reconstructive hand surgery and the role of art, and his charity, Working Hands. Before lunch and poster presentations, RCSEd president Mr Ian Ritchie
Right: Intubating mannequins during a resuscitation station session Below: Delegates demonstrate laparoscopic skills at the eoSurgical stall
Next year there will be the launch of a society app and a surgical careers symposium, as well as a comprehensive surgical skills teaching programme
gave an overview of the college and the benefits it brings to affiliates worldwide. The afternoon began with a talk by Mr Steve Krikler about his experiences of being a consultant orthopaedic surgeon on the receiving end of trauma care, while Miss Anya Adair gave an insight into the challenges and rewards for left-handed women in HPB and transplant surgery. The second half of the day was dedicated to surgical skills workshops. Students rotated around suturing, resuscitation, knot-tying and laparoscopy workshops, taught by surgical trainees from across the UK. As well as the winners of the surgical skills competitions throughout the day, our congratulations are extended to Edinburgh medical student Turlough Montague, winner of the poster presentations. We are extremely grateful to the tutors and speakers who made this day possible, to the ESSS sponsors, the clinical skills department at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, the RCSEd, and especially to the delegates for the energy and enthusiasm they brought to the conference. Thank you. ESSS is delighted with the success of the 2014 conference and is keen to emulate these accomplishments in 2014/2015. In what will be the 10th anniversary of the society, it will next year launch a society app and a surgical careers symposium, plus continue to provide a comprehensive surgical skills teaching programme. As membership continues to grow, this student-run society is proud to provide its members with an avenue to the opportunities available in exploring the realm of surgery. John Ferns and Noel Sharkey, ESSS conference conveners 2014/15 Monu Jabbal, ESSS vice-president 2014/15 Jen Reid, ESSS president 2014/15
52 | Surgeons’ News | June 2014